September October 2017 by What's Brand New

BANGALORE DELHI MUMBAI HYDERABAD September 15 2017 - October 15, 2017

vol 7 - issue 60

For Private Circulation Also available at

Pamper yourself with RAS Luxury Oils launching in Bangalore

Shop from two new seasonal collections at Soch

What's cooking with

Kunal Kapur

Read on to know more about this sensational celebrity chef

Experience the dessert menu at Cafe Mangii

Eliminate stubborn fat without surgery or downtime

Book Your Free Coolsculpting Consultation Today

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BEGINNINGS As the ending of the monsoons come closer, it brings with it a sense of melancholic spirits of the year nearing its end and our bodies and souls growing older. It also brings with it a hope of fresh starts and new adventures for this year’s finish and the new year’s beginning. The thing with life is, when something comes to a close, there’s always an opening for new things to look forward too. Take the upcoming festivals for example, which are on their way to cheer us up (India and its long list of festivals are never ending!) Hold up! We are not complaining though, in fact we are always on the lookout for reasons to celebrate (and the mid-week holidays from office during these jubilees are just the icing on the cake!). The September festivities start off with Ayudha Puja which teach us an important lesson: every tool that you use whether it’s in agriculture, industry or whatever else, you must approach it and use it respectfully – respect not only yourself, but also others and everything around you. This is followed by Gandhi Jayanti, a day to honour the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings.

ON COVER

Up next is Durga Puja a.k.a Navratri for the rest of India. This is a big festival in West Bengal especially in the city of Kolkata (this is probably the best time to visit the city and take in the

celebratory atmosphere all around). A week prior to the festival the city gears up wearing a look of anticipation and excitement to welcome Ma Durga home. During these 10 days of worshiping Goddess Durga the city of Kolkata transforms into a splendour of lights and colours. The marvellously sculpted idols are brought into their homes, which are magnificently decorated public Pandals. The deities are adorned with flowers, clothes, sweets, jewellery and vermillion and each day various rituals, puja’s and anjali are performed for the masses This time of year, gives Bengali’s the excuse to shop and eat to their hearts content. Two other customs to lookout for here are Dhonochi Naach - a dance performed using mud based jugs with burning coal and Shidur Khala – where married women (wearing a white sari with a red border – Bengali traditional sari) play with vermilion and apply it on each other (it’s like playing Holi, but with vermillion). This happens on the last day of the pooja before Ma Durga is immersed into the Ganges and is on her way home – a sad goodbye for the entire city. But like I said earlier with another ending something new takes its place – Diwali, the Festival of Lights fills us up with more joy and optimism for new beginnings. Until next time…

Meanwhile, do engage with us on our social media platforms at facebook.com/whatsupguides; twitter.com/whatsupguides; instagram.com/whatsupguides; www.whatsupguides.com Known for his popular shows like My Yellow Table and Fit Foodie on NDTV Goodtimes, Kunal Kapur is one of the most influential chefs in India. A food stylist, judge on MasterChef India and celebrity chef, he is launching the third season of My Yellow Table. Read on to discover one of his favourite recipes and get to know more about him.

Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad

CONTENTS BANGALORE

Pedal for the Planet’

P 15 IN SHORT P 22 BARBEQUE ‘N' BEER! Binge on unlimited dim sums, pizzas and grills at BBQ’D Global Grill & Brewery P 08

EVENTS

P 12 CALENDAR OF HAPPENINGS P 14 BENGALUREANS PLEDGE FOR A GREENER PLANET Read about Bengaluru’s largest annual cycling event ‘Embassy

P 24 SP ‘OIL’ YOURSELF! Pamper yourself with the range of luxurious products from RAS Luxury Oils P 26 BEAUTY WITH A CAUSE Indulge your skin with vegan and cruelty-free products from The Nature's Co.

P 28 MONSOON ‘SKIN’PERT TIPS Monsoon skin care tips by cosmetic physician Dr. Jamuna Pai P 30 TETE-A-TETE WITH CHEF KUNAL KAPUR Culinary legend and celebrity chef Kunal Kapur shares a recipe and a few juicy titbits about himself P 31 COMFORT FOOD WITH A VIEW Unwind and take a break with some old school continental food at Cafe Felix P 32 BEAUTIFY THE NATURAL WAY Go au naturel with Body Café’s organic products

BANGALORE Editorial: Ria Dutta, Anupama Shivacharya Marketing & Sales: Jai Prakash CS Administration & Distribution: Pavitra Sandilyan, Jagdeesh N MARKETING & BRANDING: Atin Bansal CREATIVE HEAD: Renu Singla DESIGN: Manoj Vijyay, Hemanth Kumar Managing Director : Vivek Tholasi What’s Up Guides is printed and published by T.A. Nataraj on behalf of Tholasi Publications Pvt. Ltd. and printed at Tholasi Prints India Pvt. Ltd., #379, 10th Cross, Peenya Industrial Area, 4th Phase, Bangalore 560058, and published at #9, Railway Parallel Road, West Park cross Road, Kumarapark East, Bangalore 560001.

P 34 25 & ROCKING Read about one of Bangalore’s oldest luxury hotels – The Oberoi P 36 A SERENE ESCAPE Drop by The Ritz Carlton Spa for yoga and a soothing experience

DELHI

EVENTS

P 38 CALENDAR OF HAPPENINGS P 42 IN SHORT P 44 GUILTLESS SNACKING Snack healthy with a range of delicious snacks from Too Yumm

MUMBAI

EVENTS

P 46 CALENDAR OF HAPPENINGS P 50 WONDERLAND OF STYLE The first edition of the Pinwheel Project brought the best of fashion to style-savvy mothers and kids

The views that appear in this publication are those of the individual authors, and we take no responsibility for any consequences or actions as a result of readers following such views or advice. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is strictly prohibited. Disclaimer: Utmost care has been taken in scrutinising the editorial content of the magazine before going to press. However, the editor and publisher shall not be held directly responsible for any inadvertent misrepresentation of fact, facts, or misprint which may occur despite our best efforts. All brands, products and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Email: admin@whatsupguides.com Phone: 080-22264351/2

P 51 IN SHORT

RNI NO. KARENG/2010/33324

HYDERABAD

ADVISORY BOARD Shveta A Sahu, Manjira Dutta

EVENTS

P 52 CALENDAR OF HAPPENINGS

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BANGALORE

EVENTS

Calendar of

happenings SEP Yati Gati is a new programme organised by Atta Galatta and The Temple of Fine Arts. It is being presented with a purpose to stage the dialogue between the artist and the audience. As a versatile Indian classical dancer, Parshwanath Upadhye is a Parshwanath resides in Bangalore and heads Upadhye School of Dance and Punyah Dance Company. Find: 134 KHB Colony, 5th Block Koramangala Timing: 6.30pm onwards Price: `400 Book tickets at www.bookmyshow.com

SEP

The one-day smart yoga workshop presents a stress-free day from your scheduled busy life. The Smart yoga workshop will aim at simplifying the yoga concepts by conveying the understanding of yoga in the right way. This workshop will embrace very simple yogic exercises called Yogasana, Meditation and Pranayama, a simple breathing technique which is one of the key methods in understanding yoga â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the age-old yoga techniques which helps us to get rid of almost any kind of health problems and prevents all kinds of complex health issues physically and mentally. Find: RPC Layout, Vijaya Nagar Timing: 8.00am onwards Price: `899

Book tickets at www. bookmyshow.com

SEP We always notice Dhrupad as we know it today is performed by a solo singer or a small number of singers in unison to the beat of the pakhavaj or mridang rather than the tabla. The vocalist is usually accompanied by two tanpuras; the players sitting close behind, with the percussionist at the right side of the vocalist. Traditionally the primary instrument used for dhrupad has been the Rudra Veena, but the surbahar and the sursringar have also long been used for this kind of music. Find: No. 2906 - 2907, 80 Feet Road, Indiranagar, Near BSNL Compound, Kodihalli, HAL 3rd Stage 12

Timing: 10am onwards Price: `400 to `1500 Book tickets at www. bookmyshow.com

practice and self-encourageSEP ment, the moment we are asked to speak or present to a group of clients, we hesitate, and we are not ourselves. This workshop aims to help you overcome this issue. The session consists of planned talks from experience, example role plays and strong takeaways ensuring that each one of the attending members are able to bring about a positive change from that very minute when it comes to presenting to clients and investors. Find: Startups Club, Classic House, #678, 2nd Floor, 17th Main, 6th A Cross, 3rd Block, Koramangala, Landmark -BDA Complex Backside Timing: 3.00pm onwards

SEP

Welcome aboard the Golden Chariot with a spectacular journey to the cultural city of Mysuru. Enjoy your royal life on the Golden Chariot for Dasara. Indulge your taste buds with culinary delights in their restaurants Nalapaka and Ruchi, from traditional ethnic Indian cuisines to continental delights. Savor delicacies that used to be the choice of royalty. Well designed, fully equipped cabins with modern amenities, Sightseeing of Culture city Mysuru and much more. Highlights Historic City Srirangapattana (Guided by Mysore Royal walks). Chamundi Hills. Lalith Mahal Palace. Jayalakshmi Vilas Palace (Folklore Museum). Amba Vilas Palace. Heritage walk around Palace. Mysuru Palace Illumination. Mysuru Cultural events at Mysore Palace. Find: pick up point, The Taj West End, 23, Race Course Road, High Grounds, Sampangirama Nagar Timing: 9.00am onwards Price: `26,250 Book tickets at www.bookmyshow.com

It does not matter whether you are a photographer, a designer, a blogger or a layman. If you want to put beautiful images in any social network, Photoshop SEP skills are a must have. This one-day workshop helps you learn Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Tools, Making graphics, Web Layouts, Image editing, Coloring and UI Techniques from scratch. Find: C/O Ixora Suites, Indiranagar, 765, 10th Cross Road, Stage 3, Behind Indira Nagar Metro Station Timing: 9.30 am onwards Price: `3299 to `15699

Started as a show in a garage basement by a few like-minded friends who played in extreme metal bands due to the limited opportunity by the organisers of mainstream metal shows. The show was a raging success among the few folks who loved extreme underground music and became one of its kind in India. Find: No.773, HAL 2nd Stage, Next to Axis Bank, Indiranagar Inner Ring Road Timing: 5.00pm onwards Price: `1000 Book tickets at www.bookmyshow. com

OCT

A healthy combination of passion for music and social welfare has given birth to Chant India, a singing reality show in aid of Smile Charitable Trust for construction of toilets in girls' schools across rural Karnataka. Chant India Season 2 will see two categories; namely SOLO and Group performance without any age bar or language being sung for the auditions. There are no limitations on entries and outside participation is welcome. Find:91/4, Veeranna Palya, Nagawara Ring Road, Opposite BEL Corporate Office, Near Hebbal Flyover, Next to Manyata Tech Park Timing: 9.00 am onwards Price: `3000 to `10,000 Book tickets at www.bookmyshow.com 13

EVENTS

Bengalureans Pledge For A Greener Planet E

mbassy Group, India’s leading real estate developer hosted the fourth edition of “Embassy Pedal for the Planet” today at Embassy Springs, Bengaluru’s largest integrated masterplanned city. Around 800 cycling and fitness enthusiasts along with corporates from various age groups turned up early on the exuberant Sunday morning, to pledge for a greener planet and promote a healthy cycling culture in the city. For this edition, Embassy Group tied up with Bangalore Bicycle Championships (BBCh) that has been consistently setting the standards by conducting races in Bangalore over the last six years. With various categories of races on offer, it was an intensely competitive and spirited event that saw overwhelming participation. The participants competed in different race categories including ProElite covering a distance of 40 km, 25 km Amateur ride, and a fun ride of 15 km, 8 km and 1 km. Among the race categories was the CXO Race, which saw participation from CEOs and CXOs across leading MNCs in Bangalore. Aimed at promoting green living which resonates with the company’s sustainability ethos, Embassy Pedal for the Planet has been successfully drawing positive attention from the citizens of the city. All proceeds raised at the Embassy Pedal for the Planet event will be donated to Colours of Life, a non-profit organization that works with the Embassy Group to support over 4000 children through holistic education initiatives across 15 government schools. Amidst the high spirited competitive races, there were various entertainment attractions at the venue. The Raghu Dixit Project, one of India’s most exciting live acts staged a performance post the races, and enthralled the audience. 14

Hundreds of cycling enthusiasts participated at Bengaluru’s largest annual cycling event ‘Embassy Pedal for the Planet’ Additionally, there were Food Trucks, a lounge bar, kids games amongst other fun activities, making it a fun Sunday morning for everyone. Jitu Virwani, Chairman and Managing Director, Embassy Group said, “Embassy Pedal for the Planet blends fitness and eco-social responsibility with a lot of fun. We always work towards a strong vision for a green future and it is very delightful to see the great turnout and the zeal of the participants. As responsible citizens, we have taken up this pioneering initiative as it epitomizes Embassy’s continued commitment to sustainability and green living. Making this an annual event, we are sure ‘Pedal for the Planet’ will bring about a change and encourage people to promote a healthy culture of cycling as our daily commute.” There were exclusive cash prizes given to the winners and runners up of all of the categories, ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.

About Embassy Group Embassy Group is one of the leading property developers in India with a track record of over three decades in real estate development. Embassy has an extensive land bank across the commercial, residential and retail space in India as well as Malaysia and Serbia. Embassy’s portfolio of real estate developments spans the commercial, residential, industrial & warehousing, retail and hospitality segments of the real estate industry. The commercial real estate business includes the development of business parks, and ten SEZ across South India including India’s first and only IGBC Platinum Certified Business Park Campus. Embassy’s ongoing residential projects include luxury apartments, villas and integrated townships. Embassy’s residential projects are also designed to obtain IGBC Green Homes gold ratings as part of the efforts towards creating sustainable developments.

somePerfect and smooth skin which looks flawless is reality! thing every woman desires and it will soon be a ow r Powde e Po atte Matte rimer + M to5 Primer 9 9to5 mé 9t akmé L Lakmé n w La ing the new cing ducing ntrod Int Introdu o that tio tion ndaati nd ound ou owderr ffounda powde er p ever rstt ev fir first d’s fi raand brand’s tion, the b dation, ound Fou Founda ou the ves yyou gi gives oductt giv roduc produc he p The rimerr.r. T rime prime primer. -buiilt p -bu in-bu in-built ith an in with omes w co comes three wo, butt th tw two, ot not off n st o bes be best lds with orld w worlds, en s of b benefit rime primer, ap tion ou ffounda and coman act aall pact one to in o v you giv gi give flawless that fl finish. te finish matt mat matte oss all retail acro across ind: ac Fin Find: oress sto stores 0 600 riice: ``600 P Price:

What’s New in your

CITY

From stylish active-wear to frothy brews… Check out this carefully curated pick of things that are new!

Looking your best L ju got easier with just the new shade of Kaya’s Complexion Perfector Cream. T newly launched The Honey shade is perfect for warm skin tones, and wheatish to dusky complexions. The one-stop solution evens out your skin tone and blurs imperfections, all the while keeping your skin nourished from within. It is your perfect make-up companion, fit for any occasion and is sure to make its way as your hand-bag essential – now available in Honey and Ivory. Find: across all Kaya Skin Clinics, Kaya Skin Bars and can be ordered online through Kaya’s portal (shop.kayaclinic. com/) Price: `990/- for a 30 ML pack

ss less mle am Get a flawless and sea T Shirt é’s Tsilhouette with amant ra. The bra collection- Invisib ight range includes lightwe that stretchable microfiber en ement vem guarantees ease of mo all day long. v usive lusi Find: at all amanté exc and on stores, leading outlets amantelingerie.com Price: `795 to `995

BENGALURU

sIn the hustle and bu tle of city life where our 9-5 jobs almost is consume us, there live no time to breathe, s or let alone eat, thi is where Pop’l Food d Truck, a healthy foo save option steps in to ebrate, and asion is a time to cel ns the day! Every occ re is food. The portio the , ion rat eb cel where there is love and hospitality ect refl rs ou flav are generous, the e. is a way of life her Whitefield Find: Inorbit Mall, o people Price: `400 for tw

Rainbow colours; a touch of fur and it’s immediately pompon-mania with the new Multicolour Fur Pompons Capsule Collection! The FENDI essence, which perfectly combines luxury and daring creativity with playfulness and irony, is reinterpreted with multicolour pompons – inspired by the famous FENDI pompon fur charms – created in extremely add a furry and fun twist the FENDI way. A selection of total-black FENDI products, from bags to shoes are peppered all-over with the Multicolour Fur Pompons. Injecting humor and fun, the Multicolour Fur Pompons products add a touch of colour and happiness to every occasion! Find: in FENDI boutiques worldwide and on fendi.com Price: `120000 onwards

BRUNCH

Glocal Junction is delighted to bring to you refreshing flavours and delicious dishes from across the globe, in its latest offering, the Sunday Brunch, which offers diners a plethora of options to satisfy their taste buds and ensure a perfect start to the week. The menu is an amalgamation of global cuisines with a twist of regional flavours with the freshest and best seasonal ingredients, it offers a unique mix of classic favourites and innovative international dishes. Find: 2986, 12th Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar Price: `1150+ tax

SERUM

COLLECTIONS

Soch, the one-stop destination for all your ethnic needs, has unveiled two new collections - Mia and Nadia - designed to reflect the sartorial preferences of the modern Indian woman. Soch’s design mantra has always been about seamlessly blending traditional elements with a modern flair, a philosophy that is amply demonstrated in their latest collection. Mia comprises Kurtis, while Nadia offers a diverse range of Kurti suits, Salwar suits, Sarees and Ready to Stitch suits. Vibrant colours, intricate embroidery and unique patterns make both the collections a must-have in every woman’s wardrobe. Find: The collection is available at all Soch outlets and online on www.soch.in. Price: Nadia - `898 to `8498, Mia - `898 onwards

The Korean naturalism brand, Innisfree introduces its Whitening Pore Synergy Serum, featuring fresh Jeju organic tangerine peel essence, giving your skin a double boost of whitening care that makes it flawless, clear and bright by taking care of skin tone, dark spots and skin texture. The Whitening Pore Synergy Serum contains six types of citrus flavonoids found in fresh tangerine peel. A single pump offers the combined goodness of an ampoule and the essence simultaneously for an intensive whitening treatment. Price: `2,500 for 50 ML Find: Nykaa.com

BAR

BAR BAR, the award-winning bar with wholesale pricing has become the tech city’s favourite neighbourhood bar with its unique concept of ‘More of You, Less of the Bill’, innovative E-Savings Calculator, Bartender’s Bottles and Live BBQ Food Menu. This July, they have introduced a signature concept: MWP Mondays, maximum wholesale prices only on Mondays. BAR BAR is here to save the day and take away the ‘Monday Blues’ with the concept of MWP Mondays where MRP does not apply. All drinks are priced at their lowest price irrespective of the order. So, order one drink or 12, it doesn’t matter since all drinks are at their lowest price, all day long. Find: BAR BAR | Level 2, Phoenix Marketcity Whitefield For Reservations: +91 80 67266651/ +91 7338630404

Max, India’s largest fashion brand, launched its Autumn collection. The season is inspired by one’s instinct of adventure, intertwined with a love for new experiences. The collection explores a bouquet of global trends like ‘Peace Army’ and ‘Glam Rock’ with its edgy styling. The collection embodies the free-spirited individuality of the wanderer as one seeks out endless roads to discover oneself. Find: Across all Max Fashion stores Price: `100 onwards

BEERS Café Mangii has been the go-to place for the gourmands of Bengaluru for an authentic taste of Mediterranean and Europe. Now, Café Mangii ups its ante with a drool-worthy new dessert menu that The brings the best of the world, in the sweetest way! highlight of the dessert menu is the smashing India For debut of the 34-layered cake. You read that right! the first time ever, they have a 34-layered cake that If comes with a whopping 54% chocolate mousse! like! you haven’t tasted heaven, this is what it’ll taste like Along with these, there are the all-time favorites Treat, Philadelphia Bake Cheese Cake, Mocha Fudge and the Apple Crumble. Find: Cafe Mangii –UB City and Orion Mall outlet Price: `1,600 for two people

Tupperware’s UberCool Lunch Set comprises of a sleek bag and three containers so that you can carry a nutritious meal to work every day. Two of these containers which are called CrystalWave Squares are microwave safe and can be used to reheat contents with the vents open. You do not even need to open the seal, just pop the vent open and enjoy hot meals wherever and whenever you feel like! The third Cool ’n’ Fresh container is ideal for carrying chapatis, rice, pasta etc. Find: only through authorized Tupperware Distributors Price: `1100

double ferAffligem- A Belgian which has a r, bee ey abb d mente to 1704. The k bac ing dat e heritag nded and fou was y wer bre famous ression of brew is a glorious exp lity. qua and te tas rich interesting Dos Equis- The most always sn’t doe rld wo the in man s, its Dos doe he en wh but k, drin r which Equis. A lager style bee , a brand xico Me from tes ina orig most iconic which has created the ter. rac cha en everyone Desperados- Just wh ’t get any betldn cou r bee t ugh tho born. Unlike ter, desperados was French this rs, bee r ula reg r you es with a com r bee ted ina orig A double unique tequila twist. which is a , mix r bee ed ent ferm the world. oss acr ice cho r ula pop er beer, a lag le sty ner pils A Sol brewery near in ‘El Salto De Agua’ Mexican classic. Born resents the rep sol of p dro ry 9. Eve Mexico City in in 189 bold and fiery this is it and lf rse you freedom to be true to gs to India. attitude that Sol brin in the village was originally brewed Edelweiss- This beer k to the year bac ing dat rg), zbu Sal years of of Kaltenhausen (near 500 r ove h wit r, bee led 1475. A Hefeweizen sty tria. Aus in ite our fav al a loc brewing tradition, it is nes on Marks Road, Cyber Wi Find: Deevars on St. City UB in s pub st mo oss Lavelle Road and acr - `280 lweiss and Affligem Price: Sol - `240, Ede

The new and improved EveryuthTulsi Turmeric Facewash is known to have medicinal properties that naturally fight pimples and marks and Everyuth Naturals is the first brand to bring these two ingredients together in a face wash format. In a market cluttered with Neem based options, the brand has introduced a new yet trusted natural ingredient combination with improved consumer experience.

fresh and supple. It also made my skin appear clearer with a natural glow. Find: across all stores Price: `90

The whole range is very lightweight keeping in mind all the functional and thermal considerations that is required to make an active wear comfortable. The range comprises of seamless leggings, sports bras, hoodies, shorts, tees and body shorts for men and women respectively. Benetton’s range of activewear has consciously used new fibres developed specifically for odour reduction, sweat-wicking, stretch ability to conform to the body’s shape; breathability to allow air in and out, without g compromising on fashion. e Find: available in all leading stores across India o Price: `699 to `1899

Inspired by the poised, feminine, woman of substance, the Autumn Winter 2017 (AW’17) collection is modern and sophisticated. Designed in smooth and light florals, sleek stripes and botanical prints inspired by nature, the hues are selected keeping in mind the trends of this season, which are celebratory reds and shades of blue with cool greys, with pops of neon pink and blush nude tone of evening sands. Find: available at all amanté exclusive stores, leadling geri rie.co om ing outlets and on www.amantelingerie.com 95 5 onwards onwarrds on Price: `495 Inspired by ‘Make in India’ concept, Akshar Yoga has launched one of the finest range of hammocks in the country. This superior quality product is created with an intent to build a sense of freedom, relaxation and relief. The medically designed hammock helps strengthen the core muscles of the body, enhance flexibility and ensures a comfortable with nylon fabric and limited stretch ability to ensure stability of the body and a relaxed experience while practicing Flying Bird Yoga. Find: available in Akshar Yoga schools and on Aksharyoga.com Price: `4,500

A contemporary and elegant b bag, designed by Silvia V Venturini Fendi, that perfectly embodies the Maison’s g graphic heritage and incredib ible savoir-faire. Shown for the fi first time on the FENDI Women’s Fall/Winter 2017-18 catwalk, the Runaway is a m modern bag with a sophisticated ffeeling that emerges from its ge geometric and light design: a clean structured shape with a magnetic closure made of simple and pure lines for a whispered luxury flair. Find: FENDI boutiques worldwide and on fendi.com Price: `1,21,995 to `1,37,341 Foraying into the flavoured water segment, Himalayan, India’s premium natural mineral water brand marketed by NourishCo Beverages Ltd., has announced its new offering - Himalayan Orchard Pure. A non-carbonated, natural mineral water with 100% natural flavours and no preservatives, Himalayan Orchard Pure offers the purity of Himalayan and fresh flavours of fruit orchards in an attractive bottle. Himalayan Orchard Pure is available in three flavours – Apple, Strawberry and Peach. Find: available through select modern retail and e-commerce outlets Price: `55 for a 500-ml bottle

BANGALORE

Ras Luxury Oils as a brand celebrates the very essence of life, to inspire a sense of happiness and luxury in every moment and to awaken our senses to a higher experience using ancient sciences, holistic practices and spiritual traditions. It is a treasure-trove of pure and natural essences and blends that elevate your radiant inner beauty and awaken your mind, body and soul. Ras empowers you to find the beauty already within and to emanate with that beauty. To find balance and happiness by virtue of a deep, sensual connection within, and to find the time to indulge in your well-being – inside and out! Choose from a range of wellness products like Pure Essential Oils, Body Oils, Face Oils, Pure Plant Oils Pure Essential Oils, Body Oils, Face Oils, Pure Plant Oils, Bath Salts and Sugar Scrubs. Find: Available on https://www.rasluxuryoils.com/ Price: `999 onwards

Barbeque ‘n’

Beer ! The newest restaurant in town - BBQ’D Global Grill & Brewery offers unlimited dim sums, pizzas and grills. Anupama Shivacharya steps in for a taste Located in UB city and formerly known as Made In Punjab, BBQ’D is the newest venture of Zorawar Kalra of Massive Restaurants. The restaurant showcases global delicacies as well as local favourites and offers several live counters including the Churrasco and table grills, live pasta, chaat and dessert counters. What sets it apart from the other restaurants in the city is the

What We Drank

the premises.

Nashili Chai – a concoction of White Rum, Gin, Vodka, soda and house-special chai was the restaurant’s take on Long Island Iced Tea and came as a recommendation from the staff. We also gave Khatta Meeta from the mocktail section a try. It was full of citrusy flavours from muddled orange, lime and passion fruit puree combined with fruity mango.

First Impressions

Dim Sums

Our previous experiences with Massive Restaurant ventures like Farzi Cafe and Made in Punjab have been great and we were quite looking forward to seeing what BBQ’D had in store for us. As we walked in, we first noticed the decor - simple and tastefully done in grey and white with a play of brown. The space was dotted with elegant brown tables with a grill in the middle and comfortable grey cushioned chairs. 22

For those of you who love food in all forms and have an enormous appetite, BBQ’D is a boon. First up on the menu were the steaming hot dim sums in light, velvety wrappers. The vegetarian variation came with chestnut and silken tofu filling and the chicken variation came with burnt garlic chicken and cilantro, both served with chilli and mustard dips.

Photos Credit: Anupama Shivacharya

Nashili Chai – a concoction White Rum, Gin, Vodka, soda and tea was the restaurant’s take on Long Island Iced Tea and came as a recommendation from the staff.

Pizzas

Next in line were the pizzas complete with juicy toppings such as cottage cheese, sweet corn, bell pepper and stringy mozzarella cheese. We also tried the non-vegetarian hand rolled flatbread option which came with smoked chicken, onion, olives and herbs. We were quite full already and this was just the initial two courses.

Grill On Table Our friendly waiter ensured that we had a steady supply of starters from this course. We particularly loved the Baby Potatoes in Coriander Pesto and Mushroom Teriyaki – both spicy and well cooked. Next up was the Harrisa Chicken and Spicy Cilantro – seasoned to perfection and grilled to a juicy goodness.

Soup We were asked to head to the buffet to try out the next course and chose to have the Bhutte Ka Chowder with Masala Pop Corn, a soup made from roasted corn. We absolutely loved how creamy and delicious the soup was and the masala pop corn added to the taste and texture.

Live Counters The live pasta counter offered a choice of pasta in classic sauces tossed with condiments and vegetables. We chose to try the Mac n Cheese and it came cheesy, full of flavour and was quite filling.

Desserts We chose to skip the spread of the main course because we were so full from eating the dim sums and pizza. We also couldn’t wait to try the desserts as we were tempted to pick one every time we passed by the section. We reached out for the Green Apple Jalebi, a twist on the original with an added tartness from the fruit. We also gave the Rosemary and Pineapple Crumble a shot and loved the herbaceous touch in the dessert. We were requested not to miss the cotton candy ice cream, so we went to the station to see what the hype was about. Our attendant picked up an ice cream cone and used it he proceeded to fill up the cone with ice cream and handed it over to us. We couldn’t help feeling a childish glee as we devoured the treat.

GOOD TO KNOW

Address: BBQ’D Global Grill & Brewery, Level 2, UB City, Vittal Mallya Road, Lavelle Road, Bangalore Timings: 12:30pm to 3:30 pm & 7:30pm to 1am Contact numbers: 7899700900/ 8040990151 Meal for two: `1500 + taxes 23

Sp‘oil’ Yourself!

When it comes to beauty, women love to pamper themselves; be it a relaxing spa day or indulging in lavish products to keep them looking and feeling attractive – they’ve got it all covered. RAS Luxury Oils gives women another reason to go ahead and mollycoddle some more! Ria Dutta gives them a try Say What? The word “Ras” (pronounced ‘ruh-us’) encapsulates many meanings in the ancient Sanskrit language, the most prominent of these being: ‘essence’ and ‘happiness’. Ras Luxury Oils as a brand celebrates the very essence of life, to inspire a sense of happiness and luxury in every moment and to awaken the senses to a higher experience using ancient sciences, holistic practices and spiritual traditions. Ras empowers you to find the beauty within and to emanate with that beauty; to find balance and happiness by a deep, sensual connection inside, and to find the time to indulge in your wellbeing – inside and out! Ras Luxury Oils is a treasure-trove of pure and natural essences and blends that elevate your radiant inner beauty and awaken your mind, body and soul. At RAS, it is their endeavor to fuse ancient Ayurvedic practices eminent in Indian culture with modern scientific research, for effective and therapeutic skincare and wellness products, using the simplest and purest ingredients. They believe in falling back to our roots, creating blends that resonate with one ideal –“ beauty in simplicity”– simple, natural ingredients in their purest form that will bring out the best version of YOU.

What’s in Store? All the oils here are therapeutic, and since they are hydrating, too much of the product is not needed for application – a tad bit will 24

do. The oils can be added to baths, other store-bought bath and body products and can also be applied directly to the skin to give it a natural healthy glow.

The Collection Pure Essential Oils Eucalyptus Kashmir Lavender Peppermint Rosemary Sweet Orange Tea Tree

Body Oils Lustre Liquid Luxury Bliss Liquid Luxury

Face Oils Infinity Anti-Ageing Face Elixir Luminous Anti-Acne Elixir Radiance Beauty-Boosting Day Elixir Revival Rejuvenating Night Elixir

Pure Plant Oils Jojoba Pomegranate

Bath Salts Stimulating Rosemary & Orange Himalayan Salt Polish Soothing Lavender & Geranium Himalayan Salt Polish

Sugar Scrubs Refreshing Lemon & Mint Dolce Polish

The Experience On opening the package (before even taking out the oils) a pure and healing aroma greeted me. The miniature 3ml beauties arrived in hues of gold and white (the fluid inside resembled liquid gold – brownie points for presentation!). They all had dippers to squeeze out the right amount of oil needed without too much spilling out – very convenient. I tried the Serenity Liquid Luxury from the Body Oils section. The smell had a mix of floral notes and therapeutic plants and herbs thrown together. My skin soaked in the oil throughout the day. Up next was the Skin Clearing Elixir from the Face Oil segment. This one had a milder fragrance and nourished my skin from within, brining out a natural glow and leaving it feeling supple.

On opening the package a pure and healing aroma greeted me. The miniature 3ml beauties arrived in hues of gold and white – brownie points for presentation!

I moved on to the Argan Pure Plant Oil next, with a strong spicy smell, it helped in taming my frizzy hair. I used it as a serum and it worked wonders by making my hair

Last up was the Lemongrass Pure Essential Oil – the stress reliever. Just adding a few drops of this fresh and earthy scent into a diffuser made me feel refreshed,

GOOD TO KNOW Find: www.rasluxuryoils.com Price: `1000 onwards

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B ea u t y With a

Cause

Indulge your skin with vegan and cruelty-free products from The Nature’s Co. Anupama Shivacharya gives them a try Brand Beginnings As a child, Natasha Shah grew up using natural home remedies as a part of her beauty regimen. Little did she know that she would come to own a popular vegan beauty care company which presently sells 200+ products. Her childhood played a big role in inspiring her to make a career involving nature and beauty care. She combined her learning with research and founded The Nature’s Co in 2009. We were excited to have a chat with this dynamic, young entrepreneur about her company, products and her vision.

The USP The Nature’s Co is a four-year-old brand started with a philosophy - ‘Nature is a way of life’. The products are based on purest forms of nature – air, sun, forest, earth and water. These forms have inspired five distinct range 26

creations of body, bath and wellness products: Atmospure, Starrize, Foressence, Earthborne and Aquaspark designed to soothe your mind, body and soul. All the products of The Nature’s Co. are also vegan and cruelty-free.

The Clientele When queried about the clientele, Natasha shares “We initially targeted women between the ages 25 to 65 years, but we soon realised that our products are equally popular with men.” The company has seen a rise of sales and credits it to the increasing awareness about natural and cruelty-free beauty care amongst the public.

Beauty Wish Box The brand has started a monthly subscription service which allows their customers to try out new products every month. Priced at `795/month for individual

subscriptions, the beauty box comes with products worth `2500 (approximately) and is an assured steal-deal. The box is curated by bloggers and beauty experts from around the country and has a different theme each month. The packaging itself is attractive while being reusable and brands. Each edition is available all year round and is sold based on availability.

The Anniversary Edition The Nature’s Co has now completed four years in the festive occasion, the September month’s theme is ‘4 the wishful Beauty’, curated by popular beauty blogger SuperwowStyle Prachi! Her four favourites are added in this edition and come in full sized retail packs along with one

The Nature’s Co has started a monthly subscription service called the Beauty wish box which allows their customers to try out new and popular deluxe-sized products every month.

Peach Creme Body Wash – This gel body wash comes with antioxidant properties from peach and helps retain skin’s elasticity making it tighter and brighter. As I squeezed out the product on to my hands I was greeted by a fruity fragrance good enough to eat. The gel lathered up easily usage. Bearberry Liquorice Whitening Cream – Bearberry is known to be a natural, highly effective skin lightener and Liquorice reduces discolouration and pigmentation. I was excited to get the product as it could to do wonders for my acne-prone skin and lighten my blemishes. I tested the

The Experience I got to try out the anniversary edition and received the products in a pink and black pouch. The pouch contained two discount vouchers and five full sized deluxe products. White Rose Under Eye Gel – This thin gel comes with white rose extracts, tea tree oil and lemon oil. It moisturises, hydrates and stimulates blood circulation. It’s anti-inflammatory properties prevent puffy eyes, dark circles and help to reduce fine lines while keeping new ones at bay. I used the product just before going to sleep and applied a thin layer on my dark circles. The product was quickly absorbed into the skin and I noticed a visible

Rose Lip Balm – A new launch which comes with ingredients like Kokum Butter, Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Castor oil and the goodness of Vitamin E; this product helps in reducing pigmentation and hydrates the lips. I tried it out and loved the subtle smell of roses. The balm is not too

and over a week of usage, they had lightened too. Tea Tree Hair Nourishing Cream – A leave-in hair cream with the goodness of tea tree and lemon oil, it promotes a healthy scalp, leaving your hair revitalized and shiny. It also treats scalp infections and fights dandruff. The product has a thin consistency when compared to other hair creams in the market and dissolves easily. I used the product right

GOOD-TO-KNOW

The Nature’s Co, www.thenaturesco.com

Cost: `395 onwards

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The never-ending rains can rage havoc on our skin stealing its natural glow and leaving it looking dull and lifeless. If you have skin woes during the downpours, WUG brings you monsoon skin care tips by the Cosmetic Physician in India - Dr. Jamuna Pai founder of SkinLab. Ria Dutta dishes out

Monsoon

o matter what your skin type, the damp and humid weather takes a toll on your skin during the wet season. There is an increase in sweat and oil secretions which attract more dirt and chemical pollutants (causing skin to look dull, and give rise to pimples and rashes). Pollution, dirt, grime and the harmful UV rays of 28

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Skinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;pertTips the sun are the main reasons why your skin is prone to damage during the rainy season. For those with an oily casing, the skin tends to get more greasy and oily due to the humid weather. For those with a dry crust, the skin gets drier and dehydrated. And for those with a combo skin type (dry+oily), the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin are oilier

than the rest of the face). To take care of your skin the right way this monsoon be sure to modify your skin care routine with the changing weather with these guidelines:

Keep it Clean Cleansing is a must. Cleaning is an integral part of your skincare regime, especially during the monsoons. Use a gentle face wash and cleanse your skin

You should drink plenty of juices and at least two litres of water to keep your body hydrated. Since the weather cools down, people end up decreasing their water intake which in turn causes the skin to look dehydrated. cloudy, it should not prevent you from using a thick coat of sunscreen on your face to protect your skin from the damage of the ultraviolet rays.

Water Proof Perfection

at least 2-3 times a day (especially those who have a combination of oily and dry skin type).

Scrub it Out Always exfoliate to buff away dead skin cells. Using a mild granular scrub during the monsoon months is most crucial as it helps slough off the build-up of dead skin cells. When done as a regular routine, it will help maintain the luminosity of the skin even during the rainy season.

Tone Up If you must use a toner, then chose a non-alcohol based one to maintain the pH of your skin.

Sun Safe Though this fact has been highlighted many times, it is important to emphasise that it does not matter if it is

Don’t go for heavy makeup during the rains. It is best to use light weight water proof makeup instead of weighty creams and foundation. The latter may cause the pores to get clogged and if you are caught in the rains suddenly, you do not want the make-up to run down your face – ugh!

For the Lovely Locks Don’t focus on just your skin, be sure to tend to your hair carefully too during the rainy season. The increased humidity can make the hair sticky and frizzy. Use hair conditioners and Towel dry the hair well and ensure that they have dried completely before you tie it up. Do not use hair dryer on alternate hot and cold blast to dry the hair.

Drink Up You should drink plenty of juices and at least two litres of water to keep your body hydrated. Since the weather cools down, people end up decreasing their water intake which in turn causes the skin to look dehydrated.

Splash on Spray on water-based cleansers and use water based moisturisers to keep away the dehydrated feel from the skin and give it a dewy glow.

Beware! Humidity and dampness lead to fungal and bacterial infections and skin allergies. It is advisable to wear light and loose cotton clothes and keep the skin dry.

Flawless Feet Our feet face the maximum onslaught in the rains as they are most exposed to the rain water. Avoid wearing closed shoes and wash your feet thoroughly as soon as you reach home. Dry them well paying close attention to the area between your toes. Use an anti-fungal dusting powder in between your toes to prevent any kind of infection. xxx 29

Tete-a-tete with

Chef Kunal Kapur Culinary legend and celebrity chef Kunal Kapur shares a recipe and a few juicy titbits about himself with the WUG Team My Yellow Table is an NDTV Good Times series where celebrity chef Kunal Kapur combines fun, excitement and hearty conversations with food. The guests on the show share their culinary experiments, personal experiences and also get to try the third season is launching with a focus on India’s favourite recipes from 13 different states and legacies of cooking. On this note, we took an opportunity to ask him for a recipe and get to know him better. So go ahead and give the simple salad a try.

8 things you didn’t know about Chef Kunal Kapur What do you like to eat when you are home? Namak ajwain ka paratha with meethi dahi

Pomegrante & Parsley Salad

Your style of cooking Four words – ‘Classic flavours progressive technique’

Ingredients

Your signature dish

2 cups Pomegranate 1 bunch of Flat leaf parsley 1/4 cup Cous cous 1/2 cup Mint Leaves Pepper to taste 1 Lemon 1 tbsp Olive oil Salt to taste

The three tier Ghewar that I reinvented on the MasterChef Season 1

Method

Your culinary idol

Favourite restaurants in Bangalore B Cafe, Shangri La, Sly Granny, Wok to Asia

Your favourite ingredients to work with Chocolate, cheese, butter, garlic and fresh herbs

Jamie Oliver Add 1/2 cup of boiled water to cous cous in a bowl and keep the lid on for 20 minutes. Once cooled, fluff it up with a fork and drain any excess. Add pomegranate, salt, pepper, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. Finely chop the parsley and mint and add it to a bowl. Toss and serve immediately. 30

One ingredient that represents you Dark chocolate, bitter but sweet

Why did you get into cooking? Men in my family have always cooked. I got to learn cooking from my father and I decided to take it to the next level.

Comfort Food With a view

Unwind and take a break with some old school continental food at Cafe Felix. Anupama Shivacharya drops in for a taste

Photos Credit: Anupama Shivacharya

First Impression We chose to visit Cafe Felix on a rainy Bangalore weekend and reached 1MG Mall just in time for lunch. As we entered the place, we were greeted by a beautiful view of the city and the Ulsoor Lake below. The blue flooring contrasts the white and red brick walls on one side and full-length glass windows on the other. This is further accentuated by brown suede sofas, light coloured pine wood furniture and floor-mounted lamps while tall potted palms add to the palette. We picked out a table on the side which offered a great view and proceeded to scan the menu which constitutes bistro style soul food with plenty of options from soups, salads, toasts, mains and desserts.

What We Ate For our beverage, we chose Orange and Basil Slushie – a refreshing combination of citrusy and herb flavours which reminded us of summer. We then asked to taste the Roasted Corn with Crispy Curry Leaf Soup which arrived in a closed soup bowl. As we took off the lid, we were greeted by a delightful aroma of corn, curry leaves and mustard with just a hint of lemongrass. The soup was creamy and subtly spiced, filling us with warmth on the winter’s day. Next up was the Baby Spinach and

Watermelon Salad which came with the added goodness of fennel and walnuts, all tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. The refreshing flavours had us excited and looking forward to the next dishes. We also tried the Avocado Toast – fresh avocado puree, goat cheese, cherry tomato salsa on sourdough bread. The avocado combined with the creamy goat cheese and tart tomatoes tasted heavenly and silken in the mouth. Our team loves any excuse for a pizza and hence we chose to share the Jerk Chicken Pizza which came with jerk chicken pieces, stringy Scamorza cheese, crunchy bell peppers and artichoke on a thin pizza base (we particularly enjoyed the crispy crust). For mains, we chose to have the Roast Lemon Pepper Chicken which came with a side of Cous Cous and lemon jus. The dish was citrusy and reminiscent of Middle Eastern flavours. We also tried the Pan

Roasted Fish – Basa fish topped with Chimichurri resting in an Indian inspired cherry tomato stew with mustard seeds and a side of cooked beans.

Sweet Endings We ended the meal with the Passion Fruit Crème Brulee which turned out to be the highlight of the meal. It came topped with fig slices and mint leaves. The tart flavour of the passion fruit and fig combined with the cream us blissfully satiated.

GOOD TO KNOW

Address: Cafe Felix, 1MG Lido Mall, Level 5, Swamy Vivekananda Road, Trinity Circle Timings: 12 noon – 1.00am Contacts: 080 2208 6644 Meal for two: `1700

Beautify the

Natural Way Going au naturel is the new trend now a days. People everywhere are ditching their commercial chemical-based items and opting for natural organic ones, especially when it comes to their beauty products. Check out BodyCafé’s pure collection of items. Ria Dutta gives them a try Who are They? BodyCafé is founded by Tanushree Ishani D and Pooja Karegoudar. The duo aims to inspire people to live a healthy life and through BodyCafé and spread as much awareness as they can to the masses on the importance of using organic and natural products. They vouch for the quality of their products and are not fazed by the rat race, for they wish to build an everlasting brand. BodyCafé is a beauty and wellness brand that is based on authentic and traditional beauty practices. They take inspiration from ancient home remedies (gharelunuskhe), the goodness of nature (prakriti), and Ayurveda. Painstaking research, highest standards of purity, authenticity, quality, and ethical sourcing of organic ingredients go 32

into the making of their products. The products are 100% natural and organic, free from parabens, synthetic fragrances, artificial colours, mineral oils and paraffins, and are made from handpicked ingredients. The ingredients used in the products have certifications of purity and authenticity from relevant boards. They adhere to environment friendly manufacturing practices and their brand is absolutely against animal testing.

The Start We are all stuck in an endless battle of us versus stress. From the moment we wake up till we’re back in our bed, there is a constant baggage of to-do lists. It’s only a matter of time when it all boils over. Amidst this manic hustle-bustle of life, the duo realised

that people want a healthy lifestyle where all is well. All they need is a little support to help them start investing in themselves. Thus, BodyCafé was born. The products here take care of all your grooming needs, pets, kids, home and are completely natural and organic.

What’s Special? our users do not compromise on the quality of the product. We are pioneers in the wellness range as we have products such as sanitisers, toilet seat sprays, genital washes, pain balms free from chemicals, alcohol, artificial colours and synthetic fragrances. We are also extremely excited to introduce our home range which will include products such as dish washers, floor cleaners and car/room diffusers to

compromise on the quality of the product. We are pioneers in the wellness range and have a wide range of products free from chemicals and artificial colours”

The Experience

Since I’m a fan of rose water face sprays (nothing else seems to suit my skin because of it being hyper sensitive) I try their Rose Face Mist first. Filled with the goodness of Aqua, Vitamin feeling instantly cool and fresh (hints of a floral rose smell I then move on to my next fav beauty product – lip balms! This white coloured cream glides on to my lips with ease hydrating

name a few,” shares Tanushree. “Our pricing is highly affordable. From a working professional to someone living on pension, everybody can afford our products. We also customise our products. This gives our users the option to not just enjoy our products but also have them made as per their choice and preference. Another major USP is that we theme our products. One month we decided to pay homage to Indian spices and introduced star anise cinnamon soap and peppermint patchouli soap. Then next month we launched a foot and hand spa range based on cocktail flavours. We like to surprise our users and experiment; the idea is to add a contemporary touch to traditional recipes,” she continues. Note: BodyCafe’s combinations are quite unique, for instance, rose milk and goat milk soap, green tea and goat milk soap, basil body butter, star anise soap and more, are all a part of their experimenting streak that makes their products popular. Lastly, the very fact that their users have an option of customising their grooming range is what makes them stand out.

I stepped into the shower with their Rosemilk Soap next, this cute little number came as a heart-shaped soap bar; red on top and white at the bottom (brownie points for the presentation!). It served as a good cleaner (it was not at all foamy) and made

amounts of their Mango Body Butter all over my body. It had a really strong scent of mango and a mousse like texture (looked good enough to eat!). This is perfect for the winter season as it works best for dry skin (note: it is a tad bit to oily though). For those who love the smell of sweet mangoes this of mangoes for hours!

What’s in Store?

Expansion Plans?

They offer a wide range of products that are categorised under beauty, wellness, cosmetics, home range, childcare and pet care. Under the beauty section they cater to three major categories: Facial Care, Body Care and Hair Care. These products are further classified under Lifestyle range for everyday use, and Spa and Luxury range to help you treat yourself to a revitalising spa experience. They also provide custom-made hampers and travelling kits.

They deliver across India and have plans of expanding within India. They aim to tie up with hotels, spas and salons and have already started supplying to few reputed hospitals.

GOOD-TO-KNOW Facebook: facebook.com/

Bodycafe

Instagram: Bodycafe.in

33 xxx

25 &

Rocking

The Oberoi is amongst Bangalore’s oldest hotels but even 25 years later, it demonstrates what it takes to be a beloved and endearing brand in the city. Anita Rao Kashi drops in for an experience. On Bangalore’s busy and frenzied MG Road, The Oberoi is like a little island of tranquillity, a notion reaffirmed as soon as one steps into the lobby. It is quiet and soothing, but what catches the eye is the greenery beyond and the 120-year old raintree that stands timeless, exuding serenity that is difficult to ignore. In a way, it epitomises everything The Oberoi stands for, and bears reinforcing as the property celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Fondly called the ‘guardian angel,’ the raintree in particular and the tropical gardens that surround it 34

in general, are visible from all the rooms whose balconies (possibly the only hotel with a balcony attached to every room) open to the peaceful shade cast by the raintree’s sprawling canopy. Luxuriously appointed, the hotel’s 160 rooms are cosy and have an array of amenities to make the stay comfortable. Especially snug are the plush beds with a choice of pillows. However, the most convenient aspect is the iPad interface which allows guests to access everything – lights, AC, TV, in-room dining, check expenses, and even viewing door camera and opening the front door

– from the comfort of the chair or bed, without having to get up at all. Elsewhere in the hotel, there are a plethora of options for business travellers including meeting rooms and banquet halls. One end of the gardens is occupied by a beautiful outdoor pool which is temperature controlled while the lawns adjacent have hammocks to enjoy Bangalore’s surprisingly sustained stretch of beautiful weather. Of course, underlying all this is the utterly efficient and warm hospitality of the hotel’s staff which go a long way in making the stay both comfortable and memorable.

Tucked away at the end of one of the corridors near the raintree is the lights the whole spa is suffused with the sound of tinkling music and refreshing aroma. Offering a variety of therapies – Ayurveda, Swedish, Balinese to name a few – a session here is sufficient to coax away aches and pains and get the body relaxed and rejuvenated. But once all this is done, it is only apt to experience The Oberoi’s best attribute. At the heart of its hospitality is its dining experience spread over multiple restaurants. Le Jardin, with beautiful and massive French windows, is always buzzing with its sumptuous breakfast spread and elaborate lunch buffet. Szechwan Court, which faces a gurgling waterfall, is known for its

authentic Chinese dishes, especially its clay pots. Next door, the Polo Club Bar has a choice of three different kinds of seating – inside, shaded portico and garden. Each flows into the other but the inside, with leather seating and old world club room ambience is the cosiest, and ideal for sipping on lovely single malts or refreshing cocktails. The most charming of the hotel’s dining options is Rim Naam, the speciality award winning Thai restaurant which is housed in a little wooden pavilion afloat on a water body filled with fish. Literally meaning ‘by the water’ the restaurant sits under the shade of tall bamboo clusters and is both connected to the rest of the hotel as well as secluded to provide a beautiful dining experience. Though the judicious menu is uniformly good, dishes not to be missed include som

tam, tom kha soup, jasmine rice with red or green curry and stir fries. But there’s an added dining attraction this year. Call ahead for a taste of the Celebration Dinner, a take on the hotel’s Inauguration Dinner with such dishes as avocado and prawns, golden corn and saffron soup, 25-hour sous-vide chicken with caramelised chantrelles and a chocolate dessert platter with a miniature globe, cigar and silver anniversary medallion, which is probably the best possible finale to a visit to the property.

GOOD TO KNOW

Address: 37-39, MG Road, Yellappa

Garden, Yellappa Chetty Layout, Sivanchetti Gardens Contact: 080 2558 5858 35 xxx

We all need a break from our frenzied life at times; and what could be better than a relaxing massage to ease the stress? For a spa day like no other, drop by The Ritz Carlton Spa for a soothing experience you are bound to come back to time and again. Ria Dutta steps in

A Serene

ESCape

First Impression Ritz Carlton hotel you will find the spa – the tranquil surrounding here coupled with the friendly staff will immediately make you feel at ease. On entering through the glass doors I was greeted by peaceful music playing above and Praveen, my Yoga instructor and guide for the day. He briefed me on the therapy I was going to receive – an Indian Ayurveda treatment – Shirodhara (shiro means forehead and dhara means continuously pouring) where Ayurvedic medicated oils are used while massaging the body and the head (this one is a wellness treatment and is perfect for those suffering from 36

sleep problems, as it helps you fall asleep and have good quality slumber through deep relaxation and rejuvenation of the body mind and soul). But this was no ordinary massage; there was a whole lot more in store I was told. With much anticipation I waited for what lay ahead.

The Experience A Spiritual Session The first 30 minutes comprised of Hatha Yoga (traditional Indian style yoga) combined with mantras, Pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation. I was lead into a spotless

white room with wooden fittings and made to sit on the yoga mat with my legs folded; Praveen was seated across from me. We started off with a prayer in Sanskrit, the Saraswathi Mantra where we bless ourselves and fellow human beings – this is a yogic mantra which is performed before starting anything good. We then moved on to neck and shoulder stretches with wrist rotations accompanied with deep breathing – the breathing had benefits mentally, physically and spiritually. This was followed by Pranayama. We started with the basic Sahaj Pranayama which is very good for

Be sure to check out their signature treatment, Jaali – a 90 minute treatment where two therapies are performed at the same time – a fourhand massage. internal organ cleansing, improving sleep and helping in keeping calm and cool. This was performed with the thumb touching the index finger placed on both knees while inhaling through the nose in four breaths, then exhaling through the mouth in four breaths (note: you get the best results by doing this on an empty stomach in the morning). We then moved onto Kapalbhati (Kapal means skull and Bhati means shining/cleaning), which is another breathing exercise in yoga. By doing this Pranayama we invite more positive energy and thoughts and remove negative energies. This helps in increasing digestion power and in deep relaxation and better sleep. It is also very good for the lymphatic system and heart health. During this one, the hands stayed in the same position but I had to breathe out through my nose at a fast pace while simultaneously sucking my stomach in (this was definitely the toughest of the lot). Next up was Anulom-Vilom Pranayama; this was performed by breathing in and out through alternate nostrils using the thumb and ring finger, perfect for asthma patients, high blood pressure, mental issues and for those residing in cold climates. We ended with the final mantra (to finish our task happily) with our hands rubbed our hands together very fast to heat them up and pressed them over our eyes and all over our body (throughout this entire session Praveen was sure to keep me

motivated and his demonstrations and instructions were very easy to follow and keep up with). This sitting was a first for me as I have never come across this before in any other spa therapy – it was a very unique surprise that and revitalised even before the actual massage!

A Restful Rub It was now time for the therapy. I was lead to a dimly lit room by my therapist Kavili (a sweet North-Eastern girl). She began by washing and scrubbing my feet clean in a vessel before I set myself on a wooden massage table covered with sheets. I placed my head on a fluffy pillow and thus began an hour and a half of pure bliss. She started by covering by body with a towel; applying the right amount of pressure, working her way up from my legs to my shoulders. She then started the massage with the hot oil. As she made her way from my legs to my back shoulders and arms she smoothened out restrained muscles and stroked away tight knots (she gave special attention to my shoulders where a stubborn knot refused to release and my knees, in circular motions using her thumbs and fingers to release any flipped over onto my back she went on to massaging my stomach and waist in state of trance – with the dim lights, the hot calming effect of the oil, the

above and the therapist working her magic I slipped into a little catnap. On waking up the hot oil head treatment began (I was a bit skeptical about hot oil being poured on my head for 30 minutes continuously, but I was in for a lovely surprise). My eyes were covered with cold sheets for protection. The hot oil slowly fell on to my forehead and slithered through my entire scalp, this is unlike anything I’d state of soporific relaxation – a hypnotic daze that I never wanted to come out off – a must try!

the steam room and felt the toxins in my body just melt away – this was refreshing yoga session and a mind-blowing massage – a perfect end

GOOD-TO-KNOW

Find: The Ritz Carlton, 99, Residency Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar Cost: `9000 onwards

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DELHI

EVENTS

Calendar of

happenings

SEP

Ballet Performance

Navrasa Duende’s latest offering, Tchaikovsky’s most beloved, classic and quintessential ballet, Swan Lake, is here to leave you awestruck. Featuring 50 international artists and elaborate settings, it is considered as the greatest, most influential and most enjoyable ballet, and has been revered by audiences across the globe for many years now. A bewitched swan queen, doomed prince, glittering and sensually romantic drama about good versus evil. An enthralling performance is guaranteed. Venue: Siri Fort Cultural Complex, August Kranti Marg Time: 7.00pm onwards Ticket: `1770 to `7080 Buy tickets at: www.bookmyshow.com Shopping Festival

Eventique Concepts by Reema Arora is coming up with the 18th Edition of Diwali Fiesta and it is the place to be if you want to shop till you drop! Bring in the wow to your SEP wardrobe and glam up your house with the handpicked collections of clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery and home décor. There can’t be a better place to spend your day before the festive season arrives. Get an unparalleled experience at shopping as this one has something for everyone. Venue: Hyatt Regency Delhi, Bhikaji Cama Place, Ring Road Time: 11.00am to 8.00pm For further details, contact: +91-9810802946 SEP Talk Session

The famous TED talks have taken the world by storm for all the right reasons and influenced many lives. Created in the spirit of TED’s mission, which is ‘Ideas worth spreading’, the latest installment of TEDx will be held at the renowned Amity University and it is all about inspirational thoughts and encouraging sessions. Screening of TED Talk videos as well as live presenters together strive to spark deep conversations and connections. This one should really be on your checklist if success is what you seek this moment. Talk it out, the inspirational way. Venue: Amity University, Noida Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm For further details, contact: +91-99104 05979 or hello@tedxamityuniversity.com

Food Walk

SEP Indulge yourself in a heavenly treat of mouth-watering dishes from the lanes of Old Delhi. Authentic, filling and exclusive, the street food of Chandni Chowk will surely bring a burst of flavours to your taste buds. From the famous Daulat Ki Chaat and hot paranthas from Paranthe Wali Gali to the quintessential Dahi Bhalla and unique fruit sandwiches, and not to forget gulab jamuns and jalebis to satisfy your sweet tooth — this promising food walk has got everything covered! The tour will cover 14 famous food joints from across Old Delhi that will leave you wanting for more. Venue: (Meeting Point) Outside Jama Masjid Police Station, Chandni Chowk Time: 4.30pm to 8.30pm Ticket: `3500 per head Buy ticket at: www.eventshigh.com

OCT

Film Festival

With 27 best films selected for screening out of over 1,600 entries from 102 countries, the 4th edition of Urban Lens Film Festival will be bigger and better. With films from United States, Iran, France, Italy and many more, the much-awaited film festival will indulge your cinematic imagination through multiple and complex narratives. The films span various genres including fiction, non-fiction, animation and experimental. It promises to be even more engaging as the festival will also hold feature panels and conversations with the filmmakers. With entry being free, there isn’t one reason why a film enthusiast should miss this one. Venue: Max Mueller Bhavan, 3 Kasturba Gandhi Marg Time: 9.00am to 8.00pm For further info, contact: +91-8067606666

Marathon

Join the fight against breast cancer and spread awareness regarding the same by running in the latest edition of the famous Pinkathon. Every year, many women lose their lives to this deadly ailment. Most of them don’t even get to know that they are suffering from it until it reaches the stage from which it becomes impossible to save them. It’s high time that we get together to make an effort to spread awareness about breast cancer. This little step from your end might help save a life. Come, do your bit. Run a few miles and let the initiative be even bigger than before. Venue: Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jamia Hamdard University Time: 8.30am to 10.00am For further details, contact: +91-9555856607

OCT

OCT Theatre

Are you a fan of theatre and on-stage performances? This event is for you then. Saitan Theatre Group and Instituto Cervantes Nueva Delhi have teamed up to present a theatre festival that has a number of spellbinding performances lined up. Twelve short plays, three full-length plays, five theatre band performances and 15 poetry performances constitute the programme. Surely, Katha Theatre Festival will have you hooked throughout. The entry is free and an extraordinary experience is guaranteed. Venue: Instituto Cervantes Nueva, Hanuman road, Connaught Place Time: 11.00am onwards For further details, contact: +91-9910606598 / 999088608 Football Championship

Swimming Competition

The creators of Delhi International Triathlon and India Endurance are here again with another thrilling opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Delhi International Swimming Competition (DISC 2017). The championship is open for all and has a number of categories, including Super Kids, Ultra 10 km, Major 5 km, Iron 3.8 km, Half Iron 1.9 km, Olympic 1.5 km, Sprint 500 m and Super Sprint 200 m. If you have some great swimming skills, this will be the best chance to flaunt them. Winners and participants will receive certificates with noted time. Venue: SPM, Talkatora Swimming Pool Time: 6.00am to 5.00pm Tickets: in.explara.com

OCT

FIFA Under 17 World Cup is here and the Indian team seems promising. It needs support from all football lovers and cheering before TV screens wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do. Especially when three of its matches are going to be held here in the capital! You read that right! So, forget about watching it online or on your TV sets. Watch it live amidst the mix of stadium cheering, fun and tension and join in the madness. India will play against the United States on Oct 6, against Colombia on Oct 9 and against Ghana on Oct 12. Book yourself a seat before it goes house full! Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Time: 5.00pm onwards Ticket: `60 to 600 Buy tickets at: tickets.india2017wc.com

OCT

Music Show

Come, paint the music! This one of its kind fusion art jam promises to be packed with amazing live musical performances by talented singers and live painting sessions to bring in a new way to party. It is all about celebrating the passion for art by enjoying great live music while painting your own masterpieces. It will be all dance, eat, drink, paint and smile along with a nice opportunity to meet new like-minded people. From experts to new-bees, everybody is welcome as far as art is what makes your heart go happy. Venue: South Delhi (exact venue TBA) Time: 4.00pm to 8.00pm For further details, contact: +91-98714 55790 or ashish@orangeartparty.com F&B Fest

OCT What’s better than a crazy food festival that offers a number of delicious cuisines? The same crazy food festival paired with some great live music and turned into a big music concert instead! Book your seats at the Confused Desi Food Fest 2017 that will see Indian All Black and Dhaakad, live. Great food to nibble and cool music to groove on – save the date and sort out your weekend as your Saturday night here is going to be lit. Venue: Dhyan Chand National Stadium, India Gate Time: 3.00pm onwards Ticket: www.eventshigh.com

OCT

Apparel & Textiles, Embellished Textiles, Cane and Bamboo Work, Jewellery & Adornment, Accessories, Metalwork, Woodwork, Ceramic, Glass and more – works from all these and other different categories will be assessed by a

Time: 7.00pm onwards 41

SHAZÉ

A one-stop destination for jewellery, fashion and lifestyle accessories, shazé offers a mesmerising range of adornments for women. To make this season of celebrations more special, the brand has introduced a stunning collection of stylish rings, classy pendants and double finger rings in floral and animal motifs. Taking a cue from the elements of nature, the brand showcases exclusive and quirky designs with a plating of gold and silver that are embellished with zirconia stones. This wide array of lightweight and delicate pieces is an ideal companion for every occasion from night parties to casual outings with your friends. Add these irresistible trinkets by shazé to your Available at: www.shaze.in Price: `1,490 – `14,990

What’s New Wha in your

WOODS

m footwear and fashion The international premiu d its splendid festive eile unv has nd bra ory access for women and it is all collection of footwear the celebratory spirit. with s ciou viva and glam k like a charming belle, loo you e mak to Perfect lies in its glitter pumps ion ect coll the of l the sou vate your festive spirit Ele s. flat allic met y and shin e oomph to your wardsom add and e styl with ion. ing hues of the collect robe with the glimmer with the usage of ed vari is ge ran te uisi The exq colours of silver, gold, pure leather and bright ge. bei and e blu , red , bronze stores across India Available at: Woodland Price: On Request

India’s first and only 100 percent range of natural and organic skincare and beauty products has unveiled the latest addition to their portfolio. And this under-eye gel with pomegranate and almond oil is perfect for your post-revelry relaxation. A light, soothing and moisturising gel, it is prepared with a traditional Ayurvedic recipe that helps treat dark circles, fine lines and puffiness. Certified 100% ‘Natural’ by BDIH, the German hallmark It’s the time of happiness and revelries again! for natural beauty products, it’s specially formulated to revive and make the delicate And with it comes the reason to indulge yourself under eye area firmer. Pomegranate, almond and your loved ones. Add to the merriment of the oil and organic honey work together to minimise the appearance of wrinkles and festivals this season with our curated selection of brighten skin tone. Green tea contains the best festive splurges! antioxidants that help protect skin from damaging toxins and also improves blood circulation to reduce hra Me il Sun se the puffiness under the ry design hou s From the bespoke luxu orie ess acc ive eyes. Apply this gel ion of chic fest ion comes this latest collect ect coll er d eov ndi mak daily as part of morning a regal vibrant, this sple r festive wardrobe get you for men. Ingenious and who Let s ns iast atio hus cre ent of and evening skincare is for fashion ani’s new line called the Quirk Coffer this year with Aditi Som option routine and notice a rm of an ancient era d statement. An ideal ture the old world cha cap t like to make a high-spirite t tha tha and one lity into sua k visible difference in your of sen ir simple loo apsulating subtle hints enc le is for men to transpire the whi ired ion ect insp ts coll te prin under-eye area. of this exquisi ul motifs and stands out, each piece — modernism. With beautif ion ect coll Available at: ensembles in her by India’s heritage, the musical roidered jackets, www.soultree.in inspired by nature and of Anarkali kurtas, emb ing sist cufflinks and lapel pins con er silv all ify are s son Price: `575 s — per instrument dhoti pants and lehenga ics, mtun ng, ena d Stro han ay. and plated aspires to be tod that the Indian woman elled. The collection also d, these pieces make ualistic and understate ivid ind ue uniq of es compris n whe nt s a bold stateme and experimental design worn. Reflecting the per in ties and bowties. A urban women, her il of a Sun son er, play ion fash leading incollection is a testimony Mehra is known for his and ile onc to their vibrant nature rec to ity abil credible elegance. Look for love on vati inno with fashion se your stunning best in the and spirituality. porary vibrant piectem con 6, M-6 at: le Availab e. es and celebrate in styl Greater Kailash le at: D-22, Shiniilab Ava t ues Req Price: On ony was Puri, Defence Col s Price: `21,500 onward

CITY

Da Milano in a notebooks and diaries Da Milano introduces colors to reflect and s her leat of ge stunning ran ld of your imagination. and complement the wor world gets, nothing the ital dig No matter how dwritten notes give. han sure plea the can replace leather-bound sic, clas se the of n The selectio ts will be preugh tho r you t tha e mis journals pro ign. Functional, des s eles tim of e piec served in a , these set of notebooks elegant and long-lasting d to create ideas, pour igne des s item are artisanal dle, write memos doo e, bbl scri ts, your though re. and much mo lano.com Available at: www.dami

Souled Store own laboratory u wanted your As a child, if yo Bravo and ny hn ghed at Jo werpuff like Dexter, lau to assist The Po ed nt wa or s the The il, ev his antic all m fro Townsville you. for is Girls in saving e dis an new merch iconic of on Souled Storeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cti lle co a s to you The brand bring that will rekindle your rs cartoon characte memories and bring on hood favourite child from the geeky Take your pick pure nostalgia. hnny Bravo Jo s iou the flirtat rpuff Girls Dexter T-shirt, we Po d re per powe mug, or the su ok. themed notebo re.com w.thesouledsto Available at: ww

s s e l t l i g n u i k G ac Sn

f you have just started your fitness journey and have been eating salad for lunch every day, you very well understand the unwelcomed 4.00pm hunger pangs. You are in a constant dilemma of choosing between binging on the yummy tea stall samosa and eating tasteless ragi cookies. For all of you who identify with this daily struggle, Too Yumm is here to your rescue.

Too Yumm aims to help those who are health conscious to control their intake of bad fat and sugar by providing irresistible and healthier snack options. The brand presents wheat thins and fox nuts in a range of Indian-inspired and international flavours. Too Yumm uses only good fats like rice bran, sunflower and ghee 44

to make their products No palm oil is used in making these products

Wheat Thins This snack comes in four flavours and is made from wheat combined with healthy flours like soya, amaranth, moong dal and jowar to give its consumer a high protein, high fibre healthier snacking option.

Fox Nuts Fox Nuts are said to have health benefits superior to those of dry fruits such as almonds and walnuts. They are an abundant source of protein, carbohydrates, fibre, magnesium,

Snack healthy with a range of delicious snacks from Too Yumm. WUG team ggives them a try

potassium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. Since they are high in fibre and low in calories, they make excellent snacks. Too Yumm brings you 100% air popped fox nuts with their inherent goodness of protein and antioxidants.

Experience We had the opportunity to try out some of these snacks and loved them. Read on to find out about our experience.

FOX NUTS Chatpata Masala The flavours are closer to home with a

Too Yumm brings you 100% air popped fox nuts with their inherent goodness of protein and antioxidants.

combination of tangy and spicy elements to it. The fox nuts also had a distinctive smoky taste to them and were crispy and fresh, similar to when they are freshly popped.

Tandoori For those of you who love all things tandoored, this snack will be your hero. We could actually taste the masala and the lemon flavours on the fox nuts. This would have to be our favourite in the lot because we couldn’t stop digging in for more. Talk about irresistible snacks!

Homestyle Classic We loved this flavour for one reason. It was simple yet so delicious. These fox nuts came crispy and tossed with salt and pepper.

Wasabi If you are a fan of the Asian ingredient and love having it in your food, this one is for you. These fox nuts came in a strong wasabi flavour and we

happened to have a liking for the ingredient already and hence kept munching on the fox nuts while we went about our work.

WHEAT THINS Desi Tadka Crisp, paper thin wheat crackers with a hint of chilli and curry leaves, the snack was emptied within minutes of opening it.

flavours, these wheat thins had an Indian touch to them and went well with our evening dose of chai.

GOOD-TO-KNOW

Butter Garlic Simple, classy flavours like garlic and butter can never go wrong. We loved this flavour because it felt indulgent yet healthy at the same time and reminded us of garlic bread.

Where to shop: Spencer stores & grocery stores across Pune, Gurgaon, Kolkata & Bangalore Price: `20 onwards

Achari Reminiscent of ‘grandma’s pickle’ xxx 45

MUMBAI

EVENTS

Calendar of

happenings Shopping

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This one stop shopping platform has an eclectic mix of products including fashion wear, couture accessories, jewellery, home and lifestyle products, will be offering new and exclusive collections that are not available in stores and boutiques. While this will be a great shopping experience right at the start of the festive season, the thing that makes this event stand out is that the funds raised will be used to support different social causes. Hence, it will be about providing to the less fortunate and spreading happiness all around. So, shop with an open heart and be a part of something greater at the same time. Venue: Jio Garden, Bandra Kurla Complex Time: 11.00am to 8.00pm For further details, contact: designonediwali@sahacharifoundation.org

Club Night

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Let’s face it — everybody loves busting moves over peppy desi songs! If you too enjoy Bollywood music a little too much, this is the best place to be on every Friday. Bollywood Tracks at HITCHKI, Powai is one of the biggest bashes in town with DJ Bunty who makes everybody groove to the best of songs and high-spirited mixes from B-Town. To add further fun to the feel, the restobar serves unique regional dishes. Bollywood-inspired cocktails including I Hate Tears, Bubbly LIIT, Geetababita, ImlikaBoota and more, paired perfectly with appetizers like Charlie Chapli Kebab, Zhingat Tacos and Full Zholche add even more spice to the desi vibe. So, put on those dancing shoes, pick your squad up and start your weekend on a high Bollywood-y note. Venue: HITCHKI Powai, G5 Transocean, Hiranandani Business Park, Lake Boulevard Road, Powai Time: 9:30pm onwards For reservations, contact: 022 33126904

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Theatre

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The second edition of The Darkroom is here to immerse you in an intense series of three thrilling, classic stories that will unfold in some unique experiential ways — all the chills and thrills of uncertainty and unknowing with you being blindfolded! Yes, you heard it right. The whole experience will be conducted in a way that you can sense it, smell it, hear it and feel it — you just can’t see it happening. With four intense and unique stories — Durga Poojo, Kafan, Khol Do and Lihaaf, Rangaai Theatre Company is all geared up to take your theatre going experience a few notches higher. Be ready to play along. Venue: The Drama School Mumbai, Maratha Sahitya Sangh, Giragaon, Charni Road Time: 7.00pm to 9.00pm Tickets: in.bookmyshow.com 46

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Music Concert The Broken Roads Group in association with everybody’s favourite watering hole and hang out, Khar Social, present the Mumbai leg of NITRO tour. The band, consisting of guitarist Michael Angelo Batio of the 80’s glam metal band, Virtuoso and powerhouse vocalist Jim Gillette, is in India for the first time. They will be joined by the American metal band Lamb of God’s drummer Chris Adler and bassist Matt DeVries. So, all the metal heads in town, save the date, as it is going to be one intimate experience with some musical legends. Venue: Khar Social, Ground Floor, Rohan Plaza, 5th Road, Khar Time: 9.00pm to 11.30pm Ticket: www.insider.in Workshop

Storytelling is an art. To teach you more about this art, Michael Burns — author, award-winning filmmaker and the founder of Tall Tales — is here with a storytelling concepts, exercises, games and group works, specially designed to teach the construction of a story, will all be a part of the event. There’s more than one good reason why over 1,400 people took up the workshop last time and made it India’s most popular creative writing event. Be a part of this edition to know why. Venue: The Barking Deer Brewpub, Mathuradas Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel West Time: 10.00am to 5.00pm Fee: ` `5000 (for both the days); includes lunch Register at: story@talltales.in

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Comedy Show

Durga Puja Celebration

Durga Pujo is all about celebrating colours, cultures, festivities, the camaraderie and the feeling of togetherness. And who can forget the delicious food? With lots of food, competitions, performances, processions and the majestic, beautiful Durga statues to see, being a part of Durgotsab will add much more to your festive mood. Celebrate the vibrant festival and sample a different culture and tradition. Venue: Vikhroli Bengali Association, Tagore Nagar, Vikhroli-East Time: 6.30pm to 4.00pm

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His acting skills are as commendable as his comic timings. India’s top comic and one of the pioneers of the current stand-up scene, Vir Das is debuting his new show, Boarding Das in town this September. The show’s world tour has already received rave reviews all over the world and now, the hilariously amazing actor is all set to tickle your funny bones in Mumbai. Apart from LMAO-ing yourself off your seats as you catch Das performing live, you’ll also take back home some really cool, autographed #BoardingDAS your breath from laughing, of course)! Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point Time: 8.00pm to 9.00pm Tickets: in.bookmy show.com

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Film Screening

Matterden film club brings its best curation of 26 films for 26 Sundays! Watch Children of Heaven directed by Majid Majidi and starring celebrated actors such as Mohammad Amir Naji, Amir Farrokh Hashemian and Bahare Seddiqi. Through this initiative, Matterden CFC aims to engage people through collaborative film viewing, secret screenings, workshops and discussions. This is also an attempt to help upcoming filmmakers with technological know-how and provide them with support on various films. All film enthusiasts, book yourself a seat and have your Sundays sorted for many, many weeks. Venue: Matterden CFC, 38 NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel Time: 12.30pm to 2.00pm Tickets: www.instamojo.com/matterden

OCT

Beer Fest

OCT Experience Munich in Mumbai! Put on your dancing shoes and groove to the tunes of the official fest band, Die Kirchdorfer the same band that has been playing at the Munich Oktoberfest every year since 1994! A variety of mouth-watering dishes with a range of chilled beers to go along with; this is bound to be fun. There’s just one catch though entry is restricted to 21 years and above. Other than that, expect nothing but endless fun at this Munich-styled fest right here in the middle of Mumbai. Venue: Mahalaxmi Race Course (RWITC) Time: 6.30pm onwards Tickets: www.townscript.com Marathon

Walking your furry baby is always fun. And this fun will be doubled at Dogathon — the first ever walking marathon for you and your dog. All those daily walks with your pooch are going to come into use when you compete against other pet parents and their pets. What’s more? There will be lots of super fun activities and productive events, including prize distribution, an adoption drive, a vet check, pet flea market, goodie bag distribution and a selfie booth for all the adorable furballs. So, be ready to show some extra love to your pets and let them have a ‘paw’some time! Venue: Bandra Kurla Complex Time: 6.00am to 10.00pm Ticket: http://go.eventshigh.com/8wf8 For queries, contact: +91-9833984214 or info@wexpressmedia.com 48

OCT

Music Night

OCT

Whether you’re a performer by heart or just dream of owning the stage for once, here’s your chance to perform live! Play your original music or perform renditions of your favourite songs or just entertain the audience with one of your creative charms — the stage is yours at The Big Mic. Every performer will get 10 minutes to rock the stage, while the performers will be chosen before every open mic, so make sure to stand-out. The best can win an all-expense paid jam and a recording session at the Cuckoo Club Studios. In case performing isn’t your thing, just come and enjoy others do it for you. Venue: Brewbot Mumbai, G-01 & 101, Morya Landmark 1, Off New Link Road, Andheri (West) Time: 8.00pm onwards `249 (includes food and beverages) Register at: www.bigmic.in F&B Fest

OCT At Beer Mahotsav, you’ll get to sip, chug or a specially curated food menu. The biggest and first-of-its-kind beer festival in India, this one is all about experiencing the finest and most unique beers. Expect some fine wine along with your food as well. All this teamed up with live musical performances, creative shopping stalls, nail and foot spa stops, comedy as well as poetry acts all under one roof — this one is a must-attend. Venue: Bandra Kurla Complex Time: 12.00pm to 11.00pm `50 Food Fest

xxx

On this World Food Day, the city of Mumbai will have a chance to celebrate its very own Mumbai Food Day! Street food, international cuisines, home-cooked delicacies, mouth-watering desserts and some sparkling mocktails — it will be a true paradise for every foodie out there. Live music at the beach along the sea will surely make everything more engaging and fun. The show-stopper though aims to be the organic and fresh farm foods served at the event. So, forget those diet plans for a day and indulge in some really fascinating and sinful delights and say hello to foodgasms! Venue: Bandra Kurla Complex Time: 11.00am to 11.00pm Register at: https://goo.gl/forms/ vmKUvmKP21rmo8DT2 For details, contact: Niraj at +91-9833984214 or niraj@wexpressmedia.com

OCT

EVENTS

Wonderland of Style The first edition of the Pinwheel Project brought the best of fashion to stylesavvy mothers and kids under one roof With a vision to create a one-stop shop for premium goods and services for mothers, going to be mommies and babies, the first edition of the Pinwheel Project was held at the Blue Sea Banquets in Worli. An exclusive exhibition for fashion savvy mothers and their fashionable kids, it was curated by four passionate women entrepreneurs, including Nidhi Karnavat Chopra, Shouger Merchant Doshi, Aditi Kapur and RaginiVakil. The celebrity panel discussion over the topic of work-life balance was the main attraction of the event, with Bollywood film producer Deepshikha Deshmukh, celebrity chef and host of the TV show ‘Mummy Ka Magic’, Amrita Raichand, owner of the popular blog Kids Stop Press, Mansi Zaveri, and founder of Jungle Gym and Jungle Play, Ritika Vardhan, in the panel. Nisha Jamwal, columnist and luxury brand consultant, moderated the session during which the panelists talked about the challenges faced by mothers, the stigma attached to working moms and the ways to strike a good balance between work and family. The engaging event also saw celebrity designer Swapnil Shinde launching his kid’s collection ‘Le Jardin’ for the first time ever. Inspired by red carpet glamour, it featured an exclusive line of debutante gowns for little style divas. Other participating brands at the event included Little Krishna Mehta, GemPetit, Masilo, Podsquad, Nytara, Tia’s Closet, 50

Creo’s all new collection, The Little Stitch, My Little J (Delhi), Le 15’s new healthy range of goodies, Nidhi Munim’s matching swimwear for parents and kids, and Petit Royal hosting Gaurav Gupta Kids and Gauri Nainika Kids. Owner of the renowned children lifestyle brand ‘Pop Goes The Art’, Nidhi Karnavat Chopra was the creative force behind the whole idea. While Shouger Merchant Doshi, retail expert and owner of Zanaaya Couture conceptualised and curated the event, Aditi Kapur of Mumbai’s leading food app Delivery Chef, mobilised the operations. Ragini Vakil, a retail strategy consultant, performed the task of the commercial orchestration of the Pinwheel Project. Together, they ensured that shopping for maternity and baby products catered fashion to everyone from new moms and their tiny-tots to moms-to-be.

is new ng with th stive outi designs from fe r u yo h e swag to s in stylis sses Add som rored sunglasse shionable sungla and t fa mir range of ear. This range of the style quotien in w le ise b ye ra e ila lp va e va h o A . s N n red lense protectio and with mirro ffective outdoor lver, gold, green si es with re e m o ad o m fr sh r n g e ff in su o g lours ran d ice blue, these f tinted lenses co y d n e o tr an n fiery red mbinatio nse sunlight purple to r coatings in a co te tective n from in ro flash mir mplete protectio reat choice of pro of g on ti p o e th provide co which makes it a mes with s, wear. and glare hile outdoors. It co f prescription eye age t o w eyewear nses for wearers gned for differen n, re le esi powered ion is carefully d en, women, child right m ct the st ju d The colle lifestyles so that n fi d n can all groups an and sports perso ements. uir teenagers their specific req ar.com e it pair to su : www.novaeyew at Available s at `1,94 9 0 rt Price: Sta

MINAWALA

The internationally coveted diamond jewellery house gives all the spiritually-inclined a reason to indulge in jewellery shopping this festive season with their new collection of Lord precious gemstones and diamonds in 18K gold, ‘The Avighna Collection’ by Minawala is an encapsulation of traditional designs, recreating divine beauty in sumptuous detail. A true collector’s item, each piece is meticulously rendered with great panache and artistry. This one of a kind range exhibits spiritual philosophy in the form of intricately designed pendants. These opulent masterpieces by Minawala are your perfect companion for the festive celebrations this year. Available at: Minawala, Turner Road, Bandra West Price: On Request

What’s New in your

CITY

Usher in the bright, happy season of festivals and ring in the joy and celebrations with this handpicked selection of new launches for you and your loved ones launched trusted jewellers have The city’s premier and jewellery called red laye of es seri te a new exquisi the a perfect indulgence for Enigmatic Entangles — integrated layers, the ally stic arti h Wit ad. festivities ahe awe of its to leave one and all in collection is designed yellow gold with and te whi 18k in d ase the brilliance. Enc gmatic Entangles exudes glistening diamonds, Eni woman. Flaunting chic n der mo ing tify mys a vivacity of sts of kpieces, each piece boa ign earrings and elegant nec the brand’s exclusive des wforte and radiates a dra ing charm. Delicate and timeless, yet bold and modern, the Enigmatic Entangles collection promises to add elements of panache and luxury to your ensemble and enhance your style quotient. s Available at: Dwarkada Chandumal Jewellers, Bandra West Price: On Request

There’s no time like festival time to amp up your jewellery wardrobe. And this newly launched mythological collection called Zeus Rivet by fashion jewellery brand Gioielli by Parneet Thukral will make for a great buy. Inspired by one of the powerful symbols of ruler Zeus, the

flamboyant. This mythological collection is encrusted with semi-precious gemstone in tempting and lively tones of peach, aqua, grey and more. With an antique rose gold finish, the range replicates an opulent design essence. Trendy and travel friendly, Zeus Rivet n Sa t, or mf defines charm effortlessly of style and co west ne the is r xo An amalgamation Lu and goes well with all kinds ium sub brand ic ch er ub an Frisso’s new prem ts en of outfits. family that pres set to All n. me addition to the for s Available at: www.thedeand formal shoe se the , rm sto range of casual by t signerlabels.com le luxury marke a true are d an c ssi take the affordab cla Price: On Request trendy yet ever pieces are ultra add to to as ll we as k ur everyday loo ction complement yo e, the Luxor colle casion wardrob your special oc workers de by seasoned designers and ma ction. Ranging from rfe pe who carve it to o tans, browns to royal blue, reds, ck bla of tes let contrasting pa llection will and white, the co choice. for leave you spoilt lti Available at: Mu brand outlets wards Price: `2,495 on

HYDERABAD

EVENTS

Calendar of

happenings Art Fest

The Indian Photography Festival (IPF), a Not-For-Profit initiative of

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showcase the art of photography through a wide range of pictures from India and around the globe. A series of events, including talks and discussions, portfolio reviews, book launches, screenings, workshops etc will take place. Let the photography lover in you meet other professional and aspiring photographers — not just to appreciate this art but also to indulge in the progressive conversations over social issues. Venue: State Art Gallery, Madhapur Time: 5.00pm onwards Ticket: www.meraevents.com Register free at: https://goo.gl/16BJPp

Fun & Fitness

A workout that gets you tipsy… If that isn’t interesting enough, what else can be? The Beer Workout is as fun as it sounds and you have to be a part of it to believe that. Join in this fun and crazy event where you shed those extra kilos while sipping on your favourite beer. The ticket includes two pints, floor mat and the entire exercise experience. Are you game? Venue: NocNoc Bistro, Road Number 44, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur Time: 4.00pm to 6.00pm Register at: http://bit.ly/BeerWorkoutHyderabad

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Dance Party

If there’s one thing that can describe Dandiya the best, it is — fun! Glittering, traditional Gujarati outfits, upbeat music, the rhythmic clattering of sticks and everything so colourful and lively. If you too just can’t wait to dance your heart out on some desi beats, this Dandiya Night is all you need! Apart from the crazy group dancing sessions, there will also be special titles and and female and best dancers. Venue: Our Sacred Space, Sardar Patel Road, Ring Road, Secunderabad Time: 5.30pm to 7.00pm Fee: `500 For registration or further information, contact: +91-9030613344

Art Workshop

Filmmaking Workshop SEP This filmmaking workshop promises be a great place to learn visual communication. The 10-hour workshop will have different sessions on Framing & Camera Handling, Scripting & Pre-production, Shooting, Editing and Screening. Young filming enthusiasts can learn to make short visual stories of their own in just two days! The workshop will be focused on improving storytelling skills, enhancing the power of imagination and learning about group dynamics. Venue: Phoenix Arena (in the lane next to Lemon Tree Hotel), Hitec City Time: 9.30am to 4.00pm Ticket: www.townscript.com OCT

How wonderful would it be to have something that OCT beautifies your home as well as brings along positivity and good luck? That is exactly what dream catchers are for. It is believed that these Native American charms attract all sorts of dreams to the webs and let only the positive ones to pass through, once the morning lights hit them. Fascinating, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it? Participate in this cool workshop of dream catcher making and take home your own artwork that exudes positive vibes all the way! Venue: Our Sacred Space, Sardar Patel Road, Ring Road, Secunderabad Time: 12.00pm to 2.00pm Fee: `350 (includes course material) For registration or further details, contact: +91-9030013344 OCT

Workshop

TRANSFORMATION

Tech Fest

ROBOFEST

Started by renowned author, Louise L Hay and based on his fourth largest selling non-fiction book in the world, You Can Heal Your Life, this two-day workshop aims at making lives happier, healthier and more successful. This will include several exercises and sessions to heal and relax your body, mind and soul. Inner child, family dynamics, learning how to love and accept, changing thought patterns and the use of positive affirmations are just a few of the topics that will be covered. Come, find your soul support group and be a part of something relaxing, empowering and truly transformational! Venue: Law of Attraction League, 702, Block 31, Malasian Township, KPHB Time: 9.00am to 6.00pm Ticket: `10,000 (includes course material, lunch, refreshments and certificate) For further details, contact Gaurav Behl at: +91-9849914477 or loaleague@gmail.com

Showcasing the art of science, RoboFest is here yet again to take you on a journey of robotics, with an array of informative events including Robothons, International Robotics Conference, Young Leader Talks, Expo, Start-up Showcase, Workshops, Competitions, Roboween - Robotics Halloween, Startup Awards and DJ/Live band performances. Just like last year, it is expecting the presence of renowned researchers, engineers, practitioners, and students from across Asia. This year, RoboFest also aims to encourage people to spark automation, reduce the efforts of human labour and tap artificial intelligence to the maximum, thereby creating a never-experienced before interactive experience with robots. Venue: T-Hub, IIIT Hyderabad, Gachibowli Marathon Time: 9.00am to 12 midnight (every day) Ticket: www.therobofest.com

OCT

Put on your running shoes and be a part of the 8th edition of the Hyderabad Triathlon â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the biggest annual triathlon with 1800+ participants and 13 different categories of Triathlons and Duathlons to choose from. Participants can choose from a range of marathons, including 3/4 Iron Triathlon, 1/2 Iron Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon, Novice Triathlon, Power Duathlon, Super Duathlon, Olympic Duathlon, Sprint Duathlon, Novice Duathlon, Mini Triathlon, Mini Duathlon and Mini Aquathlon. So, brace yourself for a thrilling, sporty Sunday this October. Venue: Gachibowli Athletic Stadium, Mumbai Road, Gachibowli Time: 6.00am to 6.00pm Register: www.hyderabadtriathlon.com 53

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BANGALORE

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

FIND IT HERE AIRPORT LOUNGE

PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE

Travel in style and comfort. Enjoy Spa, Bar, Entertainment and quick napping facility. An ideal place for a refreshing time before take-off and a perfect place for travellers to relax while in transit. The ‘aah’ factor: Great place to relax and unwind while travelling and escape from the hustle and bustle of the airport.

Find it: Mezzanine Level, Domestic Departures, Terminal 1, Kempegowda International Airport T: 80 66784811 Level 1, International Departures, Terminal 1, Kempegowda International Airport (Near Gate No.18) T: 80 66784822 Level 2, Arrival Hall, Terminal 1, Kempegowda International Airport (near check-in counter 1) T: 80 66784833 W: www.plaza-network.com

PUBS BLUE FROG

Blue Frog has leaped into Bangalore and is now open for lunch or dinner with their eclectic menu which includes food that can boast of a continental heart and drinks that are hardcore and sure to get you on the The ‘aah” factor: The brand has been India’s premiere music club, bringing to stage unmatched memorable experiences and to its plate world class food and drink.

Find it: #3, Church Street, Bangalore.T: 080 69999549

HIGH ULTRA LOUNGE

A cosmopolitan décor, with a retro

WUG does a recce and brings you the best and the most interesting

touch, one gets a ‘Manhattan feel’ with the sweeping sky views of the a night out or an intimate dinner with their pan-Asian inspired menu, amidst walled gardens and waterfalls celebrate at this oasis in the sky. The ‘aah’ factor: Go here for the ‘Manhattan feel’

Find it: Rooftop, World Trade Center, Brigade Gateway Campus, 26/1 Dr.Rajkumar Road, Malleswaram West T: 080 45674567

MONKEY BAR

Bangalore’s favorite gastro-pub offers signature food, weekend breakfasts and drinks with the occasional foosball matches. The ‘aah’ factor: Their signature menu.

Find it: No.14/1, Krishna Manare, Off Richmond Road, Wood Street, Ashok Nagar T: 080 41116878/ 080 41116879

OPUS IN THE CREEK

Following the theme of the original Opus, this beautiful Goan abode, complete with water bodies and palm trees offers an escape for the nights you want to dance away. The ‘aah’ factor: For the fun Goa experience.

Find it: Doddanekkundi Industrial Mahadevapura T: 080 40943031, 40943032

OVER THE TOP-TERRACE LOUNGE

Tasty nibbles on the menu such as kebabs, burgers and pasta team up seamlessly with their bar menu of draught beers and international wine list. The ‘aah’ factor: With a spacious upper and lower deck expanse, this lounge echo’s Bangalore’s alfresco charm with trees that curl around the sitting area.

Find it: 2nd Floor, No. 2, 5th Block, 100 Feet Road, Koramangala T: 080 30412940

CHURCH STREET SOCIAL

A must-go to resto-pub for its quirky vibe – great food and service with a young, fun ambiance. The‘aah’ factor: The Longest Long Island Iced Tea (in a really tall glass!)

Find it: 46/1, Cobalt Building, Church Street T: 080 4171 3016

SHIRO

Walk in to Shiro & you will be forgiven for thinking you’re in a monastery. A giant Buddha forms the centerpiece at this super chic & contemporary lounge. The ‘aah’ factor: A unique list of cocktails and some seriously impressive teppanyanki counters.

Find it: The Collection, UB City, Vittal Mallya Road. T: 080 41738861

SKYYE LOUNGE BAR

Located on top of UB City’s luxury mall, Skyye Lounge undoubtedly is one of Bangalore’s most popular rooftop venues. The ‘aah’ factor: Stunning views of the city make this the perfect setting to party, dine or unwind.

Find it: UB City, Vittal Mallya Road T: 080 49090000

THE BIERE CLUB brewery is located in the heart of the city. The Biere Club offers a variety of home–brewed beers such as ale, lager, wheat and stout. The ‘aah’ factor: Enjoy the English pub-like ambience and classic rock music, while sipping on a mug of chilled beer. Find it: 20/2 Vittal Mallya Road T: 080 42124383, 42124384, 42124386

TOIT

Sprawled across 11,000 sqft, Toit has stage and more than adequate size does matter. The ‘aah’ factor: With its old world charm, rock music, high ceiling, rustic brick walls and English pub-like ambience - Toit is an overall hit.

Find it: Metro Pillar, 62, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar T: 080 25201460

LOFT 38

Put on your dancing shoes and head to Loft 38. Dance the night away, only to stop to savour delicious food and top up your drinks. Watch out for DJ nights. The‘aah’ factor: The décor, the music

Find it: 763. Near Sony world, 100ft Road Indiranagar T: 080 49653423

WINDMILLS CRAFTWORKS

Classy décor and interiors make Windmills Craftworks a great space for dining. Not to mention the excellent quality of food and select homebrewed beers. The‘aah’ factor: Jazz nights with live performances from international artists.

Find it: 331 Road 5B Area, Next to T: 8880233322

HANGOVER

Inspired by a Thai cocktail serving truck, the décor is a mix of rusty menu includes quirky cocktails, steaks and biryani. The ‘aah’ factor: The cocktail serving Volkswagen van

table and balances it with local ingredients, thus imbibing the spirit of the signature Bohemian-esque East Village neighbourhood in Manhattan. The ‘aah’ factor: House cured and house made sausages, smoked meats, mustards, syrups, breads and kimchis blend.

Find it: 14/1, Wood Street, Richmond Road, Ashok Nagar T: 080 41116878

OLIVE BEACH

Their Sunday brunch is a big hit with its humungous spread; other favourites are the pan seared foie gras, the eight-hour lamb and the chocolate valronha. The ‘aah’ factor: Romantic and with just that hint of the Mediterranean in its ambience, this is such an enduring favourite.

Find it: 16, Wood Street, Ashok Nagar T: 080 41128400

THE GLASS HOUSE

The Glass House is the newly launched deli bistro bar in town. It has a wide selection of salads, grills, breads and sandwiches and exotic cocktails. The ‘aah’ factor: The striking glass decor set amidst lush greenery.

Find it: 25/2 Lavelle Road T: 080 65419999/8888

MAHESH LUNCH HOME

Mahesh Lunch Home welcomes its visitors with seafood like Bombil

Find it: Hangover, 12th Main Road, Indiranagar T: 9886200070

prawns Koliwada. The ‘aah’ factor:

RESTAURANTS

feather-light appams.

DHABA BY CLARIDGES

Head here to get the feel of a signature highway eatery with quirky décor decked with vintage Bollywood posters, truck art elements, colourful furniture and sassy lines on the wall– all this along with desi Bollywood music just adds to the charm of this restopub. The ‘aah’ factor: The scrumptious food (the Dhaba Prawns is a must try), the unique cocktails and the cheerful staff who at times do break into dance to popular and loud Bollywood numbers (something quite entertaining indeed!).

Find it: 2nd Floor, # 618, Above Chicco, 12th Main, Indiranagar

TOAST & TONIC

Manu Chandra’s latest venture Toast & Tonic brings world cuisine to your

Find it: Cears Plaza, Opposite Bangalore Club, Residency Road T:080 41311101/ 41311102 www.maheshlunchhome.com

SODABOTTLEOPENERWALA

Popular for its Berry Pulao, Dhansak, aloo cutlets and cocktails, this Parsi restaurant serves delicious food. The ‘aah’ factor: Authentic Parsi recipes and an ambience reminiscent of the Parsi cafes of Bombay.

Find it: 25/4, Opposite Harley Davidson Showroom, Lavelle Road T: 91 7022255299

SMOKE HOUSE DELI

Refreshing cocktails and mocktails, paired with delectable European dishes and a pleasing ambience with crisp white table settings and quaint pencil drawings

across the walls. The‘aah’ factor: Smoke house deli’s have for all pizza lovers, and try their new health menu if you’re a weight watcher who still wants delicious wholesome food.

Find it: 52&53, Ground Floor Lavelle Road T: 080 40515151

MAMAGOTO

If you are done with Indian-Chinese and want to explore more authentic Pan-Asian cuisine, Mamagoto serves savoury rice bowls and dumplings on a plate. The ‘aah’ factor: Authentic Pan-Asian

off 100ft road, Indiranagar. T: 8884498760

NIMISSERIE experience; a culinary journey that experiments with Indian food and enlivens all senses. The ‘aah’ factor: An experimental gastronomic experience with an exciting Aspect Cuisine menu.

Find it: #120 off wood street, Ashok Nagar, Brigade Road T: 080 49652770

LAZY SUZY

A cosy yellow and blue bistro serving up some sinful sandwiches and desserts. The ‘aah’ factor: Top-class, beautifully designed desserts and delicious, satiating sandwiches.

Find it: 36, 80 Feet Road Indiranagar, T: 080 49653565

HORN OK PLEASE

The décor features Bollywood stars amusingly morphed into Hollywood movie posters and vice versa. The restrooms, labelled in honour of the quintessential truck driver, ‘Leadies and Jent’s’, all add up to create a charming medley for the dhaba theme. The ‘aah’ factor: The wacky and quirky menu such as Nana-Patty Kar (chilli chicken puff) or a Skewer ka Baccha (grilled paneer with masala)

Find it: No. 776, 1st Floor (above Kotak Mahindra Bank), 100ft Road, Indiranagar T: 08049564449 / 9686442183

DELHI

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

FIND IT HERE AIRPORT LOUNGE PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE

Travel in style and comfort. Enjoy Spa, Bar, Entertainment and quick napping facility. An ideal place for a refreshing time before take-off and a perfect place for travellers The ‘aah’ factor: Great place to relax and unwind while travelling and escape from the hustle and bustle of the airport.

Find it: Level 3, International Departures, Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport T: 11 61233955 Level 4, International Departures, Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport T: 11 61233966 Arrival Hall, International Arrivals, Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport T: 11 61233933 Arrival Hall, Domestic Arrivals, Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport T: 11 612 339 22 Level 2, Terminal 1D, Domestic Departures, Indira Gandhi International Airport T: 011 47681188 Ground Floor, Terminal 1D, Domestic Arrivals, Indira Gandhi International Airport T: 011 45970088 W: www.plaza-network.com

WUG does a recce and brings you the best and the most interesting

HOTELS PRIDE PLAZA AEROCITY

E: outlets@eroshotels.co.in Timings - Lunch- 1200 hrs to 1500 hrs, Dinner1900 hrs to 0000 hrs

CAFE PRIDE The all-day dining restaurant offers world cuisine with a trendy interactive

RESTAURANTS

from across the globe besides a huge variety of Indian regional cuisine, complimented by true Indian hospitality. The Café offers a huge choice of elaborate buffets & and a-al-carte options.

Road Romeo is an upmarket family restaurant situated in the heart of Defence Colony market, specialising in Kashmiri and Hyderabadi cuisine. The interiors of the restaurant are informal and vibrant - quirky artefacts, funky posters with a liberal use of emerald green throughout.

The aah factor: Lose yourself is a sea of authentic Oriental, Continental, and Indian delicacies, skilfully prepared by our team of expert chefs.

Find it: LOBBY LEVEL, Pride Plaza Hotel, 5-A, Aeropcity, IGI Airport, New Delhi – 110037 T - 9899343771 Timing: 19:30 Hours – 23:30 Hours

EROS HOTEL, NEHRU PLACE Blooms

restaurant in Delhi to relish dishes from cuisines including Mediterranean, Asian, Indian and Chinese among others.

Empress of China of a regal kind. It serves authentic Szechuan, Hunan &Yunnan cuisines from China with a unique display, music and aromas which create much more than the normal dining experience.

Singh Saheb

ROAD ROMEO

The ‘aah’ factor: Gushtaba from Kashmir and Biryani from Hyderabad cooked by the local chefs from their respective areas are delectable.

Find it: 47, Main Market, Defence Colony, New Delhi T: 91-65999950

JAMIE’S ITALIAN

The 140-seater eatery is homely and inviting, with wood and leather interiors, chalkboard announcers and large open kitchens. It is spacious with a long bar and a fresh pasta station. The ‘aah’ factor: Pizzas Funghi Misti (wild mushrooms, smoked mozzarella, Cheddar cheese & seasonal herbs) and Chicken Pizzaiola (olives, capers, roasted sun-dried tomatoes & creamy mozzarella) - must haves!

Find it: Ambience Mall No. 2, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj New Delhi T: 011 40870032, 40870056 W: www.jamieoliver.com/ italian/india

At Singh Saheb, you will rediscover

TOWNHALL

Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Amritsar. Every dish has been painstakingly researched and recreated, bringing up to life the hearty exuberant glories of the past.

brings to the table oodles of old world charm and a good view of Khan

Find it: LobbyLevel, Eros Hotel, Nehru Place, T:011-41331650 / 011-41331653

followed by a beautiful terrace on the The ‘aah’ factor: The food menu is designed by world renowned Chef

Augusto Cabrera. An expert in traditional and modern Japanese cuisine, he has cooked for the likes of Karisma and Kareena Kapoor, Sushmita Sen, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Find it: 60-61, middle lane, Khan Market T: 011-43597166, 43597155 E: contact@town-hall.in W: http:// town-hall.in

THE ADDAMS HOUSE

As soon as you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by all the members of The Addams Family through a huge 3D portrait right at the center of the living room. Keeping up with the theme, they have vintage furniture, wall hangings and illuminating candles on the walls. The ‘aah’ factor: Standing true to its name, The Addams House creates a spooky atmosphere. Do try their mocktails, they are fantastic.

Find it: SCO 22, 1st Floor, Sector-29, Gurgaon T: 082873 35066

LAVAASH BY SABY

This beautiful restaurant built in a heritage building in Mehrauli is a mix place and a West Bengal café. The ‘aah’ factor: Exotic unusual Armenian food with nuances of Bengali cuisine.

Find it: H5/1, Ambawatta No.1, Kalkadass Marg, Mehrauli T: 7827044055, 8826297108 E: reservations.lavaash@gmail.com W: http://lavaashbysaby.com

MANHATTAN, THE CRAFT BREWERY when you enter this brewery is the huge copper brew house. Shining cylindrical vessels connected to each other through pipes, they remind you of vintage breweries of Germany. It is one of the largest microbreweries in the country! The ‘aah’ factor: Multiple cuisines – German, Continental, American, European, Indian, Italian and Lebanese, almost everything that goes well with freshly crafted beer.

Find it: First Floor, Global Foyer, Golf Course Road, Sector 43, GurgaonT: 08800697554 E: gm@ manhattan.ind.in

INDIAN GRILL ROOM

The restaurant is divided into three parts – The Garden Marquee (open terrace), Private Dining (takes about15 guests) and the Terrace Bar and Bistro specify the place you prefer when you make the booking. The ‘aah’ factor: The elaborate Indian menu of Terrace Bar and Bistro, and the wine list.

Find it: 315, Suncity Business Tower, Sector 54 Golf Course Road, Gurgaon T: +91-8010011222 E: info@ indiangrillroom.com, operations@ indiangrillroom.com W: www.indiangrillroom.com

THAI PAVILION AT VIVANTA BY TAJ

Chef Prajuab Shoosridam has curated a fantastic menu and has stayed as close to the authentic as possible. Enjoy an excellent pairing of food vintage wines. The ‘aah’ factor: Great service, better food!

Find it: Vivanta by Taj, Near HUDA City Center Metro Station, Sector 44, Gurgaon T: 0124 6671234 W: https://vivanta.tajhotels.com/enin/gurgaon-ncr/restaurants/thaipavallion-restaurant/

PUBS & NIGHTLIFE THE PIANO MAN

It comes with a performance space, bar, bakery and restaurant and lighting with a beautiful piano lit by a chandelier of golden trumpets at the The ‘aah’ factor: Come here to witness some great jazz performances. The ambience and vibe of the place, is quite appealing.

Find it: 67/22 B, Safdarjung Enclave Market, Opposite Deer Park, Safdarjang T: (+91) 9899264224 W: www.thepianoman.in

SOI 7

Like most of the recently opened places, Soi 7 too comes with a beautiful terrace. The interiors match

up nicely. They host live bands and stand-up comedy gigs regularly. Get prior reservations as it is always packed, even on weekdays. The ‘aah’ factor: The Thai cuisine, microbrewery,performance stage and a boxing ring (yes, seriously).

Find it: 205-209 A, 2nd Floor, Cyber Hub, Building 8, DLF Phase 2, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon T: (+91) 8130666011, (+91) 8130261166

SUMMERHOUSE CAFÉ

This plush standalone café situated strategically to avoid the Hauz Khas Italian and Lebanese cuisines. The ambience is cosy and inviting, with a courteous staff on board. The ‘aah’ factor: Karaoke nights are a big hit!

Find it: 1st Floor, DDA Shopping Complex, Aurobindo Market, Hauz Khas T: +919990889494

CITY SECRETS RED PAWS PET SPA & SHOP

They offer services such as breedgroomer trained from London. Other services include bathing, blow-drying, treatment for de-shedding, nail clipping, ear cleaning and all other dog grooming essentials. The ‘aah’ factor: They also run a nonRescue where the work entails rescuing, caring, adopting and ultimately helping to create a safe haven for dogs.

Find it: 29 A, 1st Floor, Hauz Khas Village T: +91 9711457647, 9711457626 E: contact@ redpawsonline.com W: http://redpawsonline.com

SHOPPING NAPPA DORI

A mix of leather and canvas products, Nappa Dori is a testament to contemporary designs that support traditional styles and crafts. The Nappa Dori signature trunk, artists’ bag and inch tape are beautiful and popular.

MUMBAI

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

FIND IT HERE PUBS

DOOLALLY TAPROOM

A friendly ambience, sunlit interiors and the variety of handcrafted beers make this a must-visit. The ‘aah’ factor: Just while away time here, eating, drinking and playing your favourite board games – with friends or fellow guests!

Find it: Shop No. 5/6, Geleki, ONGC Colony, Reclamation, Bandra (West)

Also at: C18-21, Dalia Industrial Estate, Near Fun Republic, Off New Link Road, Andheri (West) T: 9969360726, 9967102143

HOPPIPOLA

Literally meaning ‘jumping in puddles’ in Icelandic, Hoppipola serves a mix of Jamaican, Asian, American and Med cuisine. They’re known for classic cocktails as well as drinks concocted with innovative new twists. The ‘aah’ factor: They have a duster and chalk on every table and you can play Pictionary, Taboo and Uno among other games. Or you can pick up a book from their generous collection.

Find it: 1st Floor, Todi Buildings, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Opposite Kamala Mills, Lower Parel Also at: 136 & 138A, Galleria Shopping Centre, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai; Mall, Link Road, Malad (West); At: 757, Ramee Guestline Hotel, MD Ali Quereshi Chowk, SV Road, Khar. T: 022-3371599, 022-30151559, 022-30151106, 022-33126720

TAP

Serving Mexican, Continental,

WUG does a recce and brings you the best and the most interesting

Indian and Chinese food, Tap is an amalgamation of a lounge bar, a sports bar and a night club.

T: 022-28501214, 022-26300742, 022-69000146, 022-69409900, 022-30151325

The ‘aah’ factor: An amazing outdoor area and a fun gaming section where you can play air hockey, darts, pool and slam dunk. And big screens where you can see live matches.

RESTAURANTS

Find it: Royal Plaza, New Link Road, Andheri (West) Also at: 3rd Floor, Link Square Mall, Linking Road, Bandra (West) T: 9167666717, 022-42633050

CORNICHE – AT THE WATERFRONT

A small, romantic restaurant with outdoor seating… Corniche has a Continental menu that caters to most palates. The ‘aah’ factor: The view of the sea and the refreshing breeze that accompanies your meal.

MIRCHI & MIME

An 80-seater bar and grill, this restaurant is known for cuisine that includes some imaginative takes on Indian food such as the Lobster Nihari and Corn-Off-the-Cob Bhel. The ‘aah’ factor: The servers are all hearing and speech impaired, and communicate through gestures printed on their special menu.

Find it: Transocean House, Lake Boulevard, Hiranandani Business Park, Powai T: 022-41415151

GLOBAL FUSION

Find it: B-15, Gagangiri CHS, Carter Road, Bandra (West) T: 022-30151161

Spread over a generous area, this restaurant offers an unlimited buffet including starters, main course and dessert.

THE BAR STOCK EXCHANGE

The ‘aah’ factor: The cuisine is global: from Indian to Chinese to Japanese and Italian, and giving you the best possible variety ever.

A spacious bar, it has a multi-cuisine menu that includes Indian, Italian, Continental and Chinese. The ‘aah’ factor: The cost of your liquor goes up and down based on the demand. So, if in the mood, you can choose the least expensive one, yes, below MRP!

Find it: 89, Shivani Industrial Estate, Opposite Times Square, Sakinaka

Also at: 28, Ground Floor, Meera CHS, Oshiwara Link Road, Oshiwara, Andheri (West), Mumbai At: 1st Floor, Club House Equinox Business Park, Kurla At: 3rd Floor, Kenilworth Building, Off Linking Road, Linking Road, Bandra (West) At: Hotel Apollo, Landsowne Road, Behind Regal Cinema, Colaba

Find it: B 1, Times Square Tech Park, Andheri Kurla Road, Sakinaka Junction, Andheri East, Marol Also at: 3rd Floor, Link Square Mall, Linking Road, Bandra (West) T: 022-42631000, 022-42633000

PIZZA BY THE BAY

Known for its great ambience and décor, this restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. They serve a variety of Italian food. The ‘aah’ factor: Situated right in front of Marine Drive, it has a striking view of the sea.

Find it: 143, Soona Mahal, Marine Drive, Churchgate

T: 022-22856115 W: www.pizzabythebay.in

RED OLIVE

Apart from great décor, Red Olive serves a variety of cuisines including Chinese and Indian. The ‘aah’ factor: The staff is polite, attentive and meticulous

Find it: G19, Ventura Building, Oppostie subway, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai T: 022-30150890

THE YELLOW CHILLI

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s restaurant lives up to the name of this masterchef with amazingly delicious dishes. The ‘aah’ factor: The variety of Indian food – try a Shaam Savera (spinach koftas with creamed cottage cheese served in buttery tomato gravy) and the Puran Singh da Tariwala Murgh (a soul-satisfying dhabha recipe).

Find it: 201, 2nd Floor, City Park Building, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai Also at: 2nd Floor, Viviana Mall, Eastern Express Highway, Majiwada, Thane (West) T: 022-42666300, 022-61701439 W: www.theyellowchilli.com

SIGREE GLOBAL GRILL

The ‘aah’ factor: The 510 sq ft bar is amongst the longest in the city

Find it: Ramada, 16/17, Paspoli, Saki Vihar Road, Powai T: 022-61998042 W: www.ramadapowai.com/winedine/skky

GAYLORDS

Established way back in 1956, this restaurant is an icon in itself. Warm good food, make it a must-visit. The ‘aah’ factor: They have an excellent bakery attached to the restaurant that serves some amazing cakes and pastries as well as a huge

Find it: Mayfair Building, VN Road, Churchgate T: 022-22044693 W: gaylordrestaurantmumbai.com

MENCHIE’S

This new chain of frozen yoghurts from America gives a healthy option to ice cream. The menu includes non-fat, low-carbohydrate, no-added sugar, gluten-free and vegan options. The ‘aah’ factor: They have over 100 can go ahead and create your own sundae too!

With an open kitchen and a generous buffet area, Sigree Global Grill is a favourite with many. There’s a choice of Indian, Chinese, Italian and Continental cuisines.

Find it: Shop1/6, Shyam Vihar, Near Khar Telephone Exchange, Khar Pali Road, Khar T: 022-30151591

The ‘aah’ factor: Each table has

SHOPPING

on which your starters can be laid out and kept hot.

Find it: 101, 1st Floor, Ventura Building, Hiranandani Business Park, Central Avenue Road, Powai Also at: 8th Floor, Palm Spring Centre, Above Croma Store, Link Road, Malad (West) T: 022-30151169, 022-33956224

SKKY AT RAMADA HOTEL

This open-air rooftop restaurant charms one and all with lush lovely breeze, a fantastic view of the hills. And a Pan-Asian menu that you can view on a tablet.

PHOENIX MARKETCITY

Spread across a retail space of 2.1 million square feet, it houses close to 600 pls top brands. The ‘aah’ factor: A variety entertainment options for old and young, including Happy Planet, PVR and Snow World.

Find it: LBS Marg, Kurla (West) T: 022-61801011 W: www. phoenixmarketcitymumbai.com

THE INORBIT MALL

Among the oldest malls in Mumbai (opened in 2004), this mall chain is a one-stop destination for food,

fashion, lifestyle and entertainment. The ‘aah’ factor: The frequency and variety of activities and events it offers – be it Women’s Day, Easter, or just another day – when they choose concert or a food fest.

Find it: Link Road, Malad Also at: Sector 30A, Vashi, Navi Mumbai T: 022-66777999, 67777666 W: www.inorbit.in

OBEROI MALL all available at Oberoi Mall since 2008. Their philosophy of ‘customer retail landscape. The ‘aah’ factor: Their weekly games including tambola, exciting workshops, special offers and free parking for ladies.

Find it: Oberoi Garden City, Off Western Express Highway, Goregaon (East) T: 022-40990824 W: www.oberoimall.com

INFINITY MALL top brand outlets and a food court spread over 35,000 sq ft area. The ‘aah’ factor: They have a ‘Planet for old and young alike.

Find it: Link Road, Malad; New Link Road, Oshiwara, Andheri (West) T: 022-42340000/, 42440000

PALLADIUM MALL premium retail destination and is home to high-end luxury brands such as Mont Blanc, Zara, Bottega Veneta, Anita Dongre, Armani Jeans, Bobbi Brown, Chanel and more. The ‘aah’ factor: It provides special services such as a concierge desk, Wi-Fi and valet parking for all visitors.

Find it: 462, High Street Phoenix, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel T: 022-43339994 W: www.palladiummumbai.com

HYDERABAD

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

FIND IT HERE AIRPORT LOUNGE

PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE

Find it:Level E, International Departures, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (After duty free, near boarding gate 32 A/B) T: 40 66603727/ 66603141 Level E, Domestic Departures, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (near Gate 28) T: 40 66603922/ 6660 3141 Level C, Commercial Plaza, Passenger Terminal Building, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (near car park) T:40 66603131/ 40 66603141 W: www.plaza-network.com

PUBS MOB

MOB is the place for Belgium beer on tap and it’s a must-try. The Wittie or Abbaye Blonde Beers are served in an ambience of informal comfort, good music and dim lights. Try the La Pecheresse and Pink Killer - some of the most delicious beers to be had in the city! The ‘aah’ factor: Try their beer platter, that serves you four tap variants on a single platter such as Witte, Dubble,

WUG does a recce and brings you the best and the most interesting

Divine, Abbaye Blond, where the beer slowly goes from light to strong

Find it: 2nd Floor, Aryans, Near Apollo Hospital, Road 92, Film Nagar, Hyderabad T: 040 42203311

STONE WATERS, KITCHEN & LOUNGE

The ‘it’ place in the city in the recent past, Stone Waters is the place you have to be at, particularly on Saturday nights. The ‘aah’ factor: The rooftop lounge serves whiskies and the service is fast

Find It: Shop 1299, B1, 5th Floor, Aruna Arcade, Road 1, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad Tel: 040 33165231

THE SKY LOUNGE, HOTEL AVASA

The most popular lounge in Hi-tech city. It’s more of a lounge than a club or discotheque but it’s still one of the few places in the city to hit the

Oriental, Continental and Indian. The ‘aah’ factor: The Sky Lounge is relaxing and the place to go to for a Whisky Sour.

Find it: Hotel Avasa, Survey 64, Sector 1, HUDA Techno Enclave, Hi-tech City, Hyderabad T: 040 33165015

OVER THE MOON

The ambience, music, food and crowd - everything comes together nicely at this lounge. The food menu has a mix of Continental and fusion food and the service is excellent. The ‘aah’ factor: It’s the best place to go to on a Saturday night particularly for celebrity spotting.

Find it: Hotel Daspalla, Rooftop, Road 37, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad T: 040 33165289

HARD ROCK CAFE

The cool hangout for great music, easy ambience and delicious food! The ‘aah’ factor: Check out the memorabilia of Rock legends.

Find it: Ground Floor, GVK One, Road 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad T: 040 64636375

SYN ASIAN GRILL AND BAR

The best place in the city to go for Shushi and Sashimi quite apart from Vietnamese specialities. The service is unobtrusive; the music and the drinks are really good. The ‘aah’ factor: The Asian brunch is a must-try.

Find it: Taj Deccan, Road 1,Banjara Hills, Hyderabad T: 040 66663939

THE BAR - NOVOTEL

It’s acquired a reputaion for being the best place for happy hours - from midnight to 2 am. Also, the place is closer to the airport. You can sit either at the bar or at the really nice poolside tables and enjoy some perfect ambience to unwind and the staff is very helpful. The ‘aah’ factor: The Mojitos here are simply amazing!

Find it: Novotel Hotels, Hyderabad Airport, Shamshabad, Hyderabad T: 040 33165773

PIER 33

Designed over multiple levels with cabana style seating and a formal deck, the ambience at Pier 33 is stunning. You have to climb down a hill and walk another 40 steps to reach the place. The ‘aah’ factor: A great place for a candle-light dinner.

Find it: Jubilee Hills, Road No 46 and Located inside Marakesh

Convention Center, Hyderabad T: 29800398

AIR LOUNGE

Air lounge is a popular rooftop lounge in the city. With the seating split into multiple levels you can pick your choice of menu and ambience according to your mood. The crowd is dressed to their best, so slip into The ‘aah’ factor: Drop in on Thursday for Bollywood nights. The energy is electrifying and the popular bhangra night continues until 4am.

Find it: 5th Floor, Sai Vamshi Towers, Road Number 36, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad T: 90141 05811

ALTITUDE

Located on the other end of town, this is a popular hang out zone for the Secunderabad party animals. Open until the wee hours during the weekends, this rooftop lounge offers a stunning view of the Hussain Sagar Lake. With separate spaces for private gatherings and parties, Altitude also has live music on special nights. The ‘aah’ factor: Slick cocktails, tasty continental fare and a Dj who gets the party grooving.

Find it: Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre, Tank Bund Tel: 27522121

HEART CUP CAFÉ

Walk into any of these cafe outlets and you will be transported straight to Goa. This refreshingly laid-back cafe is ideal for people who are looking for a relaxed evening with friends. The ‘aah’ factor: HCC offers weeklong entertainment with live music nights, karaoke and DJ specials, and stand-up comedy events.

friendly and courteous and they mix some heady cocktails and mocktails.

Find it: #10, Banjara Hills Hyderabad T: 6530 3100 W:Facebook.com/angasutra

Hyderabad T:040 33165079

ELAHE

Find it:Banjara Hills,Plot 217, Opposite KBR Park, Beside TDP

OLIVE BISTRO

This European bistro has a casual and elegant vibe and never disappoints on counts of ambience and food. A favourite of many for languid afternoons or high voltage evenings. The long winded cobbled path leads to a beautiful layered restaurant that overlooks the Secret Lake in the Tony Jubillee Hills. The ‘aah’ factor: A great place for mojitos, caprioska and sangria, especially at the sunday brunches when the lazy Mediterranean mood is on the menu and in full splendour.

Find it: Jubilee Hills ,Road 46, Inside Durgam Cheruvu, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad T:040 69999127

SHOPPING KRSALA

Couture jewellery from Bunty Bajaj, Krsala is the destination for designer jadau jewellery which is inimitable in style, innovative in concept and insistent on affordability.

Find it: ANR Centre, Road #1, Banjara Hills Hyderabad T: 3240 0231, 2339 0213 W: www.krasla.com

ANAHITA

Multi designer store with a collection of some of the biggest designer labels such as Gaurav Gupta, Varun Bahl , Pankaj&Nidhi , Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna among others.

Find it: Plot no., 1179, Rd Number 45, Masthan Nagar, Nandagiri Hills, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad T: 33165088

Find it: Krishnama House,Road # 7, Near Banjara Hills T: 99632 84563, also at no.8,Road #8 Opp Saptaparni, Banjara Hills T: 2335 1608/9

COCO’S BAR & GRILL

ANGASUTRA

A casual roof top bar and restaurant this place is known for its live music; the place also serves great entrees and tandoor delicacies. The ‘aah’ factor: The bartenders are

Luxury designer store that has a bevy of designer labels is such as Manish Malhotra, AbuJani Sandeep Khosla , Shilpa Reddy along with a whole lot of young designers’ collection.

Offers the best Indian labels in fashion and showcases Indias top designers such as Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra and Raw Mango among others

Find it: #10, Milestone 476,Banjara Hills,Hyderabad T:6656 5154

RESTAURANTS N GRILL

It’s been recently refurbished and has an island bar. Another highlight is the excellent menu of Continental and fusion food. The ‘aah’ factor: The ambience is modern chic, it’s cosy and yet gives you an impression of an expansive space.

Find it: 788, Near Croma, Road 36, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad T: 040 64644141

FUSION 9

This is an oldie but continues to be a goodie. It’s fusion food all the way. Do try the Wasabi Prawn Tempurait’s excellent – as is the Jojeh Kebab. The very relaxed ambience and the helpful staff make going to F9 a no brainer. The ‘aah’ factor: Don’t miss their sunday brunch, which is second to none!

Find It: 6-3-249/A, 1st Avenue, Road 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad T: 040 65577722

URBAN ASIA

Serves some of the best Thai, Asian and seafood int he city, Urban Asia is cool and casual. The ambience is unobstrusive and comfortable, the staff is helpful and the food is lipsmacking! The ‘aah’ factor: Value for money.

Find it: 1259/A, 3rd Floor, Beside Skoda Showroom, Road 36,Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad T: 040 33165078